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

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks e7/f1; pawns d5/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks e2/f8; knight e5; pawns a7/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook e7→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxf7 (knight e5→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf6 — queen h4→f6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p3R2p/5pp1/3Pn3/4P2Q/8/q3r1PP/5R1K b - - 2 25

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