Chess Puzzle #cF7gK — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rooks d2/f1; pawns a2/b2/c4/e3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king h6; queen e5; rooks g3/g8; bishop h4; pawns a7/b7/c6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be7 — bishop h4→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf5 — rook f1→f5. Opponent replies Rxh3+ (rook g3→h3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe4+ (queen e5→e4, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Rf5.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/pp3Q2/2p4k/4q2p/2P1P2b/4P1rP/PP1R2P1/5R1K b - - 0 30

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