Chess Puzzle #9vexF — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen g6; rooks h5/h7; pawns c5/d4/e3/f2. Black: king d8; queen f3; rooks a8/e8; pawns a5/b7/c6/e6/g4/g5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g4→g3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf7 — rook h7→f7. Opponent replies g2+ (pawn g3→g2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king f1→g1. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen f3→d1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxg2 — king g1→g2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Rf7.

Position data

FEN: r2kr3/1p5R/2p1p1Q1/p1P3pR/3P2p1/4Pq2/5P2/5K2 b - - 6 38

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