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

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks d1/f1; bishop g2; pawns a3/b3/c5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rooks c8/d8; knight d4; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen b4→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook d8→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen e5→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/p4ppp/2p1p3/2P1Q3/1q1n4/PP4P1/5PBP/3R1RK1 b - - 0 24

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