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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; knights d5/e4; pawns b2/b3/c4/d3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/d8; knights c5/c6; pawns a5/b5/c7/e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ndxf6+ — knight d5→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qg4+ — queen e2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Nxd6 — knight e4→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Ndxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/2p3pp/2nq1p2/ppnNp3/2P1N3/1P1P4/1P2Q1PP/R4RK1 b - - 1 22

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