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

Position

White: king c1; queen g2; rook d1; bishop d2; pawns a3/b2/c2. Black: king e7; queen d6; rook h7; bishop c8; pawns a6/b5/d5/e5/f6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king e7→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg1 — rook d1→g1. Opponent replies Bf5 (bishop c8→f5).
3. Best move: Qg8+ — queen g2→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
4. Best move: Bb4 — bishop d2→b4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin, quiet move. The key move is Rg1.

Position data

FEN: 2b5/4k2r/p2q1p2/1p1pp3/8/P7/1PPB2Q1/2KR4 b - - 0 34

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