Chess Puzzle #83PIH — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; knight f4; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/f3/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen h4; rooks f8/h6; knight e5; pawns a7/b6/d7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4 — queen d2→f4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxh3+ (queen h4→h3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king g2→g1.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p2p2pp/1p5r/4n3/2P1PNPq/1P3P1P/P2Q2K1/R4R2 b - - 0 26

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