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

Position

White: king g3; queen f3; rooks d2/f1; bishop d4; pawns a2/b2/e5/h4. Black: king g7; queen b7; rooks c4/h5; knight d5; pawns a6/b5/f5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook c4→d4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d2→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies f4+ (pawn f5→f4, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf4 — rook d4→f4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1q3pk1/p5p1/1p1nPp1r/2rB3P/5QK1/PP1R4/5R2 b - - 1 36

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