Chess Puzzle #1qHow — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c1; rooks b1/f1; bishop f4; knight b3; pawns b4/c4/e4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a3/e2; bishops d4/g4; pawns c6/d6/e7/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook e2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight b3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxf1+ (rook f2→f1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf1 — king g1→f1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4pp2/1qpp2p1/7p/1PPbPBbP/rN6/4rPP1/1RQ2RK1 b - - 8 28

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