Chess Puzzle #16EWG — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks f1/g2; pawns e3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rook f8; bishop f6; pawns c4/d5/e6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop f6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f3→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen c5→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/6p1/4pb2/2qp4/2p5/4PQ2/6RP/5RK1 b - - 5 42

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