Chess Puzzle #3OJZ2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook d1; bishop b3; knight f5; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/d7; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/d4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen d8→d7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qg4 — queen f4→g4. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen d7→f5, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxf5 — queen g4→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/pp1r1pp1/1b5p/5N2/3p1Q2/1BP5/P4PPP/3R2K1 b - - 4 25

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