Chess Puzzle #sA4js — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen e7; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; pawns a2/c2/e5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g7; queen c3; rook a8; bishop c8; knights a6/h7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight a6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies Ne6 (knight c5→e6).
3. Best move: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxe5+ (queen c3→e5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf1 — king e2→f1. Opponent replies Qxa1+ (queen e5→a1, captures rook, gives check).
5. Best move: Kg2 — king f1→g2.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move is h5.

Position data

FEN: r1b5/pp1pQpkn/n1p3p1/4P3/7P/2qB2P1/P1P1KP2/R6R b - - 0 19

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