Chess Puzzle #0pX3b — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen h7; rook b5; bishop g5; knight c5; pawns a2/h4. Black: king e8; queen a1; rooks b8/g8; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/d5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa2+ — queen a1→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb2 — rook b5→b2. Opponent replies Qc4+ (queen a2→c4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb1 — king c2→b1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Rb2.

Position data

FEN: 1r2k1r1/pp5Q/6n1/1RNp2B1/7P/8/P1K5/q7 b - - 3 33

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