Chess Puzzle #2pMt3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h3; bishop c5; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/f8; bishops e6/g7; pawns a7/c4/c6/e5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d2→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rf3+ — rook h3→f3, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p5bp/2p1b1q1/2B1p3/2p5/2N4R/PPPQ2P1/2KR4 b - - 3 20

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