Chess Puzzle #oA0w7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f6; rooks c1/d1; bishop d5; pawns a2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d2; rooks b2/g7; bishop f5; pawns a5/e3/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf2 — queen d2→f2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7 — rook c1→c7. Opponent replies Qf1+ (queen f2→f1, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf1 — rook d1→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move is Rc7.

Position data

FEN: 8/6rk/5Qp1/p2B1b1p/5P2/4p2P/Pr1q2P1/2RR3K b - - 7 40

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