Chess Puzzle #WtW7V — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c4; rooks d1/h1; bishops e2/g5; knight d7; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen e5; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/e7; knight a6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg5+ — queen e5→g5, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: f4 — pawn f2→f4. Opponent replies Bxd7 (bishop c8→d7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxd7+ — rook d1→d7, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bk3r/pp1Nbp1p/n3p1p1/4q1B1/2Q5/P7/1P2BPPP/2KR3R b - - 0 17

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