Chess Puzzle #2NIG3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d2; rook e1; knight f4; pawns a2/b4/c4/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook e4; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook e4→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qd3+ — queen d2→d3, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
4. Best move: Qxc4 — queen d3→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pppn1pp1/3p4/3P2q1/1PP1rN1p/7P/P2Q1PP1/4RK2 b - - 1 30

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