Chess Puzzle #J7GXy — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; bishops e2/e3; knight d5; pawns a3/c4/d3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b2; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/g7; knight c6; pawns a6/b6/c7/d7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1+ — rook f8→f1, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf1 — rook a1→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd2 (queen b2→d2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxd2 — bishop e3→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/1bpp2bk/ppn3p1/3N4/2P5/P2PB2P/1q1QB1P1/R4RK1 b - - 1 23

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