Chess Puzzle #cmM9c — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks e1/g6; knight h5; pawns a3/b2/b3/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rooks d8/g8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/c5/e5/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook g6→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies gxh6 (pawn g7→h6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen d2→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qh7 (queen e7→h7).
4. Best move: Qf6+ — queen h6→f6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2rk/1b2q1p1/p5Rp/1pp1pp1N/8/PP1P4/1P1Q1PPP/4R1K1 b - - 1 23

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