Chess Puzzle #1fVBu — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e1; rook d2; bishop c4; knight a8; pawns a3/b2/c2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen g5; rook f8; bishop c8; knights d4/h1; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf2 — knight h1→f2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook d2→f2, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f8→f2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf2 — queen e1→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: N1bk1r2/pp6/3p4/4p1q1/2BnP3/P7/1PPR2PP/1K2Q2n b - - 0 21

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