Chess Puzzle #0KPCr — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b1; rook c1; bishop d1; knight f3; pawns a3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen c3; rook c8; knights c2/d5; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa3 — knight c2→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxb1 (knight a3→b1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c3→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p3kppp/1p2p3/3n4/8/P1q1PN2/2n2PPP/1QRB2K1 b - - 3 22

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