Chess Puzzle #nmZhE — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks c1/e1; bishops e2/e3; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2. Black: king b8; queen h3; rooks d8/h8; knights c6/f5; pawns a6/b7/c7/d5/f6/g5/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa6 — bishop e2→a6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh4 — knight f5→h4. Opponent replies Nxh4 (knight f3→h4, captures knight).
3. Best move: gxh4 — pawn g5→h4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bg5 (bishop e3→g5).
4. Best move: Rhg8 — rook h8→g8.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Nh4.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/1pp5/p1n2p2/3p1npp/Q2P4/2N1BN1q/PP2BP2/2R1R1K1 w - - 2 20

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