Chess Puzzle #J8F7c — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1449 · Intermediate · advantage, attraction, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame.

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook e7; knights d2/f3; pawns c3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen g6; rooks b2/f8; bishops d7/h6; pawns a4/d5/d6/f5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook e7→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen g6→f7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Ng5+ — knight f3→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h7→g7).
  4. Best move: Nxf7 — knight g5→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/3bR2k/3p2qb/3p1p2/p2P3Q/2P2N1P/1r1N1PP1/6K1 b - - 3 33

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