Chess Puzzle #0ThpH — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks a1/f1; bishop g8; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e4/e6. Black: king d8; queen e7; rooks a5/h3; knight e5; pawns b6/b7/c7/d6/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh4 — rook h3→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f4→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen e7→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3k2B1/1pp1q1p1/1p1pP1p1/r3n3/3PPQ2/7r/PPP5/R4RK1 b - - 0 22

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