Chess Puzzle #6jmer — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks f1/f2; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/e4/h5. Black: king h7; queen b6; rooks b8/f8; bishop d7; pawns a6/b4/d6/e5/f6/g4/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king h7→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f2→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook f8→f6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxg5+ — queen d2→g5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, master, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Qxg5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3r2/3b3k/pq1p1p2/3Pp1pP/1p2P1p1/6N1/PPPQ1R2/2K2R2 b - - 2 26

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