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

Position

White: king e1; queen d3; rooks a1/g1; bishop f6; knight e6; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/f8; bishop f3; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f8→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g1→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg7 (queen e7→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxg7 — knight e6→g7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppp1q1pp/3pNB2/8/2P1P3/1P1Q1b2/P4P1P/R3K1R1 b Q - 0 20

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