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

Position

White: king e1; queen h4; rooks a1/h1; bishops b3/h6; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/g7; knights c6/f6; pawns a6/b7/e5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxg7 — bishop h6→g7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king g8→g7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen h4→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf6 (king g7→f6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Ne4+ — knight c3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f6→e7).
5. Best move: Nxc5 — knight e4→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/1p3pbp/p1n1pnpB/2q1p3/7Q/1BN2N2/PPP2PPP/R3K2R b KQ - 7 14

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