Chess Puzzle #1I3x9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks a1/h5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks b8/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b5/c5/e5/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf3 — queen d5→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook h8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook b8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rf1 — rook a1→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/p5p1/2n5/1ppqp2R/7Q/2PP2P1/PP5P/R5K1 b - - 6 31

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