Chess Puzzle #7nx2d — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2242 · Expert · crushing, deflection, endgame, short, skewer.

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rooks f1/g1; pawns a2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen f2; rooks g6/g8; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen f2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf7+ — rook f1→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook f7→c7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rf7+.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/p1pk4/1p1pp1r1/8/4Q3/2P5/P4qPP/5RRK b - - 1 32

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.