Qxf7

Qxf7 refers to the chess move in which a queen captures the piece on f7, most commonly the pawn. When performed by White and the resulting capture is a check, it is written as Qxf7+. The move is primarily a tactical motif, often described as a queen sacrifice on f7 intended to exploit the f7–e8 area around Black’s king. It is frequently seen in short, sharp openings and in teaching traps rather than as a sound, long-term plan.

The best-known instantiation of the idea is the Scholar’s Mate, a four-move sequence that ends with Qxf7# against an unprepared defense: 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Qxf7#. This example illustrates how a well-timed queen sacrifice on f7 can lead to rapid mate when Black has not adequately developed or defended.

Practical considerations: Qxf7 can produce an immediate attack and material gain if Black cannot defend accurately, but it is high risk. If the attack fails to deliver mate or if Black parries the threats, the queen often becomes a target for counterplay and White may lose time and material. In high-level play, players typically avoid allowing such motifs or respond with solid development and accurate defense to neutralize the initiative.

Notable examples and related topics: The Scholar’s Mate is the most famous occasion of Qxf7, but the motif appears in various openings as a surprise weapon at amateur levels. See also Scholar’s Mate.