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

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook e4; bishop d3; pawns b3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h8; rooks d8/g8; bishop f6; knights c6/d4; pawns b5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg7 — rook g8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e3→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2rk/5p1p/2n2b2/1p6/3nR2P/1P1BQ3/5PP1/6K1 b - - 3 26

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