Chess Puzzle #1J9Py — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1168 · Beginner · advantage, attraction, endgame, long, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen a8; rooks f1/f3; pawns a2/e3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks c5/d7; pawns a7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook d7→f7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g7→f7, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxa7+ — queen a8→a7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: Q5k1/p2r1p1p/4p1pq/2r1P3/8/4PR2/P5PP/5RK1 b - - 1 27

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.