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

Position

White: king c1; queen f4; rooks d1/h1; knight h3; pawns a3/c2/c3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g6; queen e5; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/c5/e6/f7/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rad8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf4+ (queen e5→f4, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxf4+ — knight h3→f4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/1b1n1p2/p3p1k1/1pp1q2p/5Q1P/P1P4N/2P2PP1/2KR3R b - - 1 20

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