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

Position

White: king e1; rooks b1/h1; knight d5; pawns a3/b3/c4/d2/f2/g2/h7. Black: king g7; rooks e8/h8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e4/f5/g5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh7 — rook h8→h7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh7+ — rook h1→h7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g7→h7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight d5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h7→g7).
4. Best move: Nxe8+ — knight f6→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r2r/ppp3kP/2np2p1/3N1pp1/2P1p3/PP6/3P1PP1/1R2K2R b K - 2 23

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