Chess Puzzle #G36AT — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen b7; rook d2; knight h4; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen b1; rook h1; bishop b8; knight e3; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be5 — bishop b8→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxf7 — queen b7→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen b1→d1, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 1b4k1/pQ3pp1/1p2p2p/8/7N/4nKPP/PP1R1P2/1q5r b - - 1 33

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