Chess Puzzle #Jmx38 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen c2; rooks f1/h1; knight h4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e3/e5/g2/g3. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; knight g4; pawns a7/b5/c4/d5/e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g7→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen c2→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
4. Best move: Qg7+ — queen g6→g7, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q3r/p4pk1/4p1p1/1p1pP2p/2pP2nN/2P1P1P1/PPQ1K1P1/5R1R b - - 1 20

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