Chess Puzzle #2j9rj — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks c1/g7; bishop f1; pawns a4/d4/e5/f2/f3/h2. Black: king d7; queen b2; rooks c8/f8; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/h3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen b2→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook g7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f4→f7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r2/1p1k1pR1/p1n1p3/3pP3/P2P1Q2/5P1p/1q3P1P/2R2BK1 b - - 3 27

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