Chess Puzzle #NsTwK — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks a1/f1; bishop b3; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/e4/f5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/f6; pawns a6/b5/d4/d6/e5/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf3 — rook f1→f3. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qh5+ — queen g4→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: Rg3+ — rook f3→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
5. Best move: Rxg8+ — rook g3→g8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, kingside attack, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxg8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1bq2p2/p2p1b2/1p2pP2/3pP1Q1/PB1P3P/1PP3P1/R4RK1 b - - 1 21

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