Chess Puzzle #UMLp2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g5; rooks d1/h1; knight f3; pawns a4/b2/d5/g6. Black: king g7; queen d7; rooks e4/h8; knight g4; pawns a6/b7/c5/d6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh1 — rook h8→h1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxf7+ — pawn g6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g7→f7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxh1 — rook d1→h1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nf6 (knight g4→f6).
4. Best move: Rh6 — rook h1→h6.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, discovered attack, intermezzo, long, middlegame. The key move gxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/1p1q1pk1/p2p2P1/2pP2Q1/P3r1n1/5N2/1P6/2KR3R b - - 0 23

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