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

Position

White: king a1; queen b7; rook d7; pawns b2/c3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen g8; bishops a2/g7; pawns a5/b6/f5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook d7→g7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg7 (queen g8→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxg7+ — queen b7→g7, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king h7→g7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Kxa2 — king a1→a2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6q1/1Q1R2bk/1p4pp/p4p2/8/2P2P2/bP4PP/K7 b - - 1 32

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