Chess Puzzle #3uaX6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c8; rook b1; pawns a2/c3/d7/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rook d8; bishop g7; pawns a7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen e7→d7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7 — queen c8→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd7 (rook d8→d7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook b8→f8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Qr3k/p2Pq1bp/6p1/8/8/2P3P1/P4P1P/1R4K1 b - - 3 31

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