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

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook f2; bishop e6; pawns b4/c2/d3/e4/g5/h4. Black: king g7; queen e3; bishop e7; knights a4/h5; pawns a6/b5/d6/e5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc1+ — queen e3→c1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf1 — rook f2→f1. Opponent replies Qf4 (queen c1→f4).
3. Best move: Qh3 — queen f3→h3. Opponent replies Bxg5 (bishop e7→g5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f1→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, discovered attack, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Rf1.

Position data

FEN: 8/4b1k1/p2pB1p1/1p2p1Pn/nP2P2P/3PqQ2/2P2R2/6K1 b - - 2 29

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