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

Position

White: king g1; rook e1; bishop b2; knight e4; pawns c2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook a8; bishop a2; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, endgame, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/ppp2ppp/2n5/8/4N3/2P4P/bBP2PP1/4R1K1 b - - 1 17

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