Chess Puzzle #q0tLn — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/f6; bishop h7; knight g5; pawns a3/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops e8/g7; pawns a7/b7/d6/e7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop g7→f6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bg8 — bishop h7→g8. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook f8→f7).
3. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight g5→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king h8→g8, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Nxd8 — knight f7→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qbr1k/pp2p1bB/3p1R2/6N1/2P5/P7/1PQ2PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 19

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