Chess Puzzle #2CTWd — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks e1/e5; pawns a3/b2/c2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks d6/e8; bishop e6; pawns a6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf7 — bishop e6→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e5→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d7→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e2→e8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe8 (bishop f7→e8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/3q2pp/p2rb3/4R3/5P2/P6P/1PP1Q1P1/4R1K1 b - - 0 27

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