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

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks d6/f1; knight g5; pawns a3/c2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e8; rooks c8/f8; knights d7/f4; pawns a4/c5/d4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng6 — knight f4→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd5+ — queen f3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d6→d7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qd5+.

Position data

FEN: 2r1qrk1/3n2pp/3R4/2p2pN1/p1Pp1n2/P4Q2/2P2PPP/5R1K b - - 1 26

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