Chess Puzzle #h2doX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; knight f4; pawns a2/b3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h7; queen e4; bishop b4; pawns a6/b6/d5/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc3 — bishop b4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne6 — knight f4→e6. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f6→f5).
3. Best move: Nf8+ — knight e6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
4. Best move: Ng6+ — knight f8→g6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Ne6.

Position data

FEN: 8/5Qpk/pp3p1p/3p4/1b2qN2/1P4PP/P4P1K/8 b - - 6 36

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