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

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rooks f1/f3; pawns b3/c4/d7. Black: king h8; queen a2; rook f8; bishop g7; pawns a7/c5/f4/g4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g4→g3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg3 — rook f3→g3, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxg3 (pawn f4→g3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop g7→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qe5+ — queen c7→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
5. Best move: Qxh5+ — queen e5→h5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, exposed king, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p1QP2b1/8/2p4p/2P2pp1/1P3R2/q7/5R1K b - - 0 39

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