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

Rating 1211 · Intermediate · crushing, opening, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights c3/g5; pawns a2/b2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/d7; knights c6/g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf2+ — knight g4→f2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf2+ — rook f1→f2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf2 (bishop c5→f2, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qf3+ — queen d1→f3, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, opening, sacrifice, short. The key move Rxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1k1r/pppb2p1/2n4p/2b1P1N1/6n1/2N5/PP4PP/R1BQ1R1K b - - 4 15

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