Chess Puzzle #fXj34 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b3; rooks d3/e1; pawns a2/c2/d6/f2/g5. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c6/f8; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/f5/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe6 — rook e1→e6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe6 (queen d7→e6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb7+ — queen b3→b7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
4. Best move: Qxc6 — queen b7→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp1q2p1/2rPn1p1/5pP1/8/1Q1R4/P1P2P2/2K1R3 b - - 7 29

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