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

Position

White: king g2; queen e3; knight h5; pawns c3/d4/e5/f5/g4. Black: king h7; queen b1; knight f8; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4+ — queen b1→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen e3→e4, captures queen. Opponent replies dxe4 (pawn d5→e4, captures queen).
3. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies Nd7 (knight f8→d7).
4. Best move: Nf6+ — knight h5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Nxf6 (knight d7→f6, captures knight).
5. Best move: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5n2/p4p1k/1p2p2p/3pPP1N/3P2P1/2P1Q3/6K1/1q6 b - - 3 35

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