Chess Puzzle #0aE5D — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d7; rook h1; pawns a2/c2/c3. Black: king g7; rooks a8/f8; bishop f4; knight a6; pawns a7/d4/d6/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h1→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g7→h7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d7→f7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/p2Q2k1/n2p2p1/8/3p1b2/2P5/P1P1K3/7R b - - 3 27

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