Chess Puzzle #tCTXB — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop d3; knight f5; pawns a3/c3/c4/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop a6; knights a5/f6; pawns a7/b6/c7/d4/d6/f7/h4/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop a6→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxh6+ — knight f5→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: exf6 — pawn e5→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d8→f6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qh5 — queen d1→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, long, master, master vs master, middlegame. The key move Nxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/p1p2p2/bp1p1n1p/n3PN2/2Pp1P1p/P1PB4/6PP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 16

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