Chess Puzzle #0CSYx — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishop d3; knight e2; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/e4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen f6; rooks e8/f8; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a5/b6/c7/d7/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rdf1 — rook d1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f6→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook h1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f8→f1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rr1k/1bpp2pp/1pn1pq2/p7/3PP3/P2B2P1/1PPQN2P/2KR3R w - - 1 19

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