Chess Puzzle #0UEtW — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook d4; bishops b2/b7; pawns a4/b6/c4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks b8/d8; bishop e6; pawns a5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook b8→b7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d4→d6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen f6→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d6→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Bxc3+ — bishop b2→c3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, intermezzo, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r2k1/1B3p1p/1P1pbqp1/p7/P1PR4/2Q3P1/1B3P1P/6K1 b - - 2 29

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