Chess Puzzle #jxeL8 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/g6; knight g3; pawns a2/c3/d4/f4/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks c8/d8; bishop e7; knights c4/f6; pawns a5/d5/e6/f7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg6 — pawn f7→g6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen c2→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Nf5 — knight g3→f5. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook d8→g8).
4. Best move: Qh6+ — queen g6→h6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, master, middlegame. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/4bp2/2q1pnB1/p2p3p/2nP1P1P/2P3N1/P1Q3P1/R1B1R1K1 b - - 0 24

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