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

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks e1/e6; bishop d2; knight f7; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c2; rooks d7/h8; bishop d6; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhd8 — rook h8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd8 — knight f7→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook e6→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies cxd6 (pawn c7→d6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rc1 — rook e1→c1. Opponent replies Qxc1+ (queen c2→c1, captures rook, gives check).
5. Best move: Bxc1 — bishop d2→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Nxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/pppr1Npp/2nbR3/8/3p2Q1/8/P1qB1PPP/4R1K1 b - - 1 17

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