Chess Puzzle #016sC — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks c1/c6; bishop f2; knights f3/g5; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king e8; rooks b8/h8; bishop e7; knights f4/f5; pawns a5/b4/b5/e6/f7/g6/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight f4→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r2k2r/4bp2/2R1p1p1/pp2PnN1/1p1P1n1p/5N1P/PP3BP1/1KR5 b k - 1 26

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