Chess Puzzle #15E5r — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a7; rook f1; pawns c3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook b8; pawns a5/b5/c6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen d8→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f1→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook b8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb6 — queen a7→b6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rf1+ (rook f8→f1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Rf8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r1q3k/Q5p1/2p4p/pp6/8/2P4P/6P1/5R1K b - - 13 37

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