Chess Puzzle #twv2q — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook f1; bishop f5; knight d5; pawns a4/b2/c4/e6/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen e3; rooks a8/f8; knights b8/g5; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/g4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg3 — queen e3→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bh7+ — bishop f5→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh7 (knight g5→h7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qg6+ — queen c2→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxf8 (knight h7→f8, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qf6+ — queen g6→f6, gives check.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, deflection, exposed king, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn3rk1/1pp5/p2pP3/3N1Bn1/P1P3p1/4q1P1/1PQ3P1/5R1K b - - 3 24

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