Chess Puzzle #3Mfvw — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen f5; rooks b1/f3; bishop b2; pawns a2/b4/c3/e3/g2. Black: king c8; queen h2; rooks d8/h8; knight e5; pawns a6/b7/c7/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh3 — rook f3→h3. Opponent replies Nc4 (knight e5→c4).
3. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen f5→d7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king c8→d7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxh2 — rook h3→h2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/1pp3pp/p7/3pnQ2/1P6/2P1PR2/PB4Pq/1R3K2 b - - 0 22

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