Chess Puzzle #DM1K8 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks b1/f1; bishop g2; knight c2; pawns a2/c4/d5/e4/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen e7; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/e5; pawns a7/c5/d4/d6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh2 — rook h8→h2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxh2 — king g1→h2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qh4+ (queen e7→h4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Opponent replies Bxg3 (bishop e5→g3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rf3 — rook f1→f3.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Kxh2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b4r/p3qpk1/3p2p1/2pPb3/2PpP3/3Q2P1/P1N3BP/1R3RK1 b - - 0 23

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