Chess Puzzle #hiikx — Master, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/c4; knights c7/e2; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king d8; queen h4; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/c8; knights d4/g4; pawns a7/b7/d7/e5/f7/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe2+ — knight d4→e2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe2 (queen d1→e2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qg3 — queen h4→g3. Opponent replies Bg5+ (bishop c1→g5, gives check).
4. Best move: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Opponent replies Qxg4 (queen e2→g4, captures knight).
5. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h5→g4, captures queen. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d3→d4).
6. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop c5→d4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Nxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bk3r/ppNp1pp1/8/2b1p2p/2BnP1nq/P2P3P/1PP1NPP1/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 1 11

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