Chess Puzzle #NW0AD — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rooks d1/d2; pawns b2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen b7; rook b8; bishop e8; knight f4; pawns e5/e6/f6/g5/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen b7→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d2→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f7→g6).
3. Best move: Qe7 — queen a3→e7. Opponent replies Qxd1+ (queen b3→d1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook d7→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Rd7+.

Position data

FEN: 1r2b3/1q3k2/4pp2/4p1p1/4Pn1p/Q1P4P/1P1R1PP1/3R2K1 b - - 2 36

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