Chess Puzzle #oK1Om — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook f1; bishop b5; knight e5; pawns a4/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook f8; bishop d5; knight e4; pawns a7/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf2 — knight e4→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen e7→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nd7+ — knight e5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Nxb6 — knight d7→b6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p3Q1pp/1q2p3/1B1bN3/P3n3/8/1P3PPP/5RK1 b - - 8 27

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