Chess Puzzle #2te6b — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rooks f1/f5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e3/g2/g3/h2. Black: king h7; queen d8; rooks a8/g6; bishop b7; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/c4/d5/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook g6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f5→f6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d8→f6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxf6 (knight d7→f6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qf7+ — queen h5→f7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q4/1b1n3k/p5rp/1p1p1R1Q/2pP4/2P1P1P1/PP4PP/5R1K b - - 0 26

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