Chess Puzzle #gXT9D — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen d2; rooks g3/g4; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f5/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks e1/e8; bishop d5; pawns a7/b6/c5/d6/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (7 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: hxg5 — pawn h4→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe5 (queen f6→e5).
3. Best move: gxh6+ — pawn g5→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Rg7+ — rook g4→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
5. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Opponent replies Qxg7 (queen e5→g7, captures rook).
6. Best move: Rxg7 — rook g3→g7, captures queen. Opponent replies cxd3 (pawn c4→d3, captures bishop).
7. Best move: Rg8+ — rook g7→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures pawn).
8. Best move: Rxe8 — rook g8→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, discovered attack, discovered check, kingside attack, middlegame, very long. The key move gxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4p2/1p1p1q1p/2pb1Pp1/6RP/2PB2R1/PP1Q1KP1/4r3 b - - 0 24

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