Chess Puzzle #e4CJg — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g4; knight d4; pawns c3/e4/g6/h6. Black: king b8; rook f2; pawns a4/b7/c7/d6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h7→g6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf3 — knight d4→f3. Opponent replies Re2 (rook f2→e2).
3. Best move: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Opponent replies Rg2+ (rook e2→g2, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh3 — king g4→h3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Nf3.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1pp4p/3p2PP/8/p2NP1K1/2P5/5r2/8 b - - 0 36

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.