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

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; rook f1; bishop g2; knight d8; pawns a2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; rooks b8/f3; bishop e5; knights b2/e7; pawns a6/d6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook f3→f1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7 — queen c2→c7. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen c7→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f1→f8).
4. Best move: Qxe7 — queen d8→e7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1N2k1/4n1pp/p2p4/4b3/8/5rPP/PnQ3BK/5R2 b - - 0 31

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