Chess Puzzle #44DtU — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g2; rooks b4/f1; pawns a2/d5/f6. Black: king h7; queen h4; rook c3; bishop a6; pawns a7/d6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg3 — rook c3→g3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh4 — rook b4→h4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxg2+ (rook g3→g2, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxg2 — king g1→g2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4p1k/b2p1Ppp/3P4/1R5q/2r5/P5Q1/5RK1 b - - 0 36

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