Chess Puzzle #t8owd — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights e4/f7; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook a8; bishops b7/e7; knights b8/f6; pawns a6/b5/c5/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf7 — king g8→f7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8 — queen d1→d8, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
4. Best move: Nxb7 — knight d6→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn1q2k1/1b2bNpp/p3pn2/1pp5/4N3/8/PPP2PPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 15

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