Chess Puzzle #DqfX3 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2184 · Expert · attraction, capturing the defender, crushing, deflection, exposed king, fork.

Position

White: king g2; queen h6; rooks h1/h7; pawns b2/c3/e4/f2/g3. Black: king f7; queen a2; rooks d8/g8; bishop g7; pawns b6/c7/d6/e5/f6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king f7→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg7 — rook h7→g7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxg7 (rook g8→g7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen h6→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
  4. Best move: Qxg7 — queen f6→g7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, capturing the defender, crushing, deflection, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2r1/2p2kbR/1p1p1p1Q/4p3/4P3/2P3P1/qP3PK1/7R b - - 5 30

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

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