Chess Puzzle #iGLKc — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks f1/g3; pawns a3/c3/d4/f2. Black: king g7; queen f6; rooks f5/f7; pawns a6/b5/c4/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f5→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg5+ — rook g3→g5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen h5→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king f8→f7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, pin. The key move Rxg5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5rk1/p4q2/1p3rpQ/2pP4/P1P3R1/5P2/5RK1 b - - 20 52

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