Chess Puzzle #42VMr — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rooks d1/e1; knight f7; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d6; rooks e8/f8; bishops c7/d5; pawns a7/b5/f5/g4/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook e8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen d6→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rr1k/p1b2N1p/3q4/1p1b1pQ1/6p1/2P5/PP3PPP/3RR1K1 b - - 3 25

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