Chess Puzzle #0FMl9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks d1/f1; bishop g2; pawns a4/b3/e4/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c1/c8; knight e5; pawns a5/b4/d6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook c1→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook f1→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1Q3pp1/3p1q1p/p3n3/Pp2P3/1P4PP/5PB1/2rR1RK1 b - - 6 28

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