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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks b7/f3; bishop d2; pawns a5/d5/f6/g2/g5. Black: king h7; queen g4; rooks b8/c4; bishop e5; pawns a6/c5/d6/f7/g6/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook b8→b7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb7 — queen b3→b7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd4+ (queen g4→d4, gives check).
3. Best move: Rf2 — rook f3→f2. Opponent replies Bxf6 (bishop e5→f6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: gxf6 — pawn g5→f6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/1R3p1k/p2p1Pp1/P1pPb1P1/2r3qp/1Q3R2/3B2P1/6K1 b - - 0 34

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