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

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/d1; bishop f3; knight e7; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c7/c8; bishop e6; knight b6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe7 — rook c7→e7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight b6→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p1r1Nppp/1n2b3/8/8/5B2/5PPP/2RR2K1 b - - 8 24

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