Chess Puzzle #AAXqf — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks a1/f1; knight h5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1+ — rook f8→f1, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf1 — rook a1→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qg5 (queen d8→g5).
3. Best move: Nf6+ — knight h5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen g5→f6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxf1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/ppp3p1/1b4Qp/4p2N/3P4/2P5/PP4PP/R4RK1 b - - 0 19

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