Chess Puzzle #Es119 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d4; rooks g1/g4; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2. Black: king h8; queen h5; rooks c8/f8; pawns a6/b5/d6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7 — rook g4→g7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qf5 (queen h5→f5).
3. Best move: Qd2 — queen d4→d2. Opponent replies Qxc2+ (queen f5→c2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxc2 — queen d2→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc2+ (rook c8→c2, captures queen, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxc2 — king c1→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Rxg7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/5pp1/p2p3p/1p5q/3Q2R1/P7/1PP2P2/2K3R1 b - - 0 26

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