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

Position

White: king e7; queen f7; rooks a1/f5; pawns b2/b4. Black: king h7; queen g3; rook c6; knights d3/g7; pawns d4/e4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight d3→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh5+ — rook f5→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Rh6 (rook c6→h6).
3. Best move: Rxh6+ — rook h5→h6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh6 (king h7→h6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rh1+ — rook a1→h1, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4KQnk/2r5/5R2/1P1pp3/3n2q1/1P6/R7 b - - 7 45

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