Chess Puzzle #16vnk — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook e7; knight d5; pawns b2/c4/d4/f2/g4/h3. Black: king d7; queen d6; bishop c7; pawns a5/f6/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc6 — king d7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook e7→c7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d6→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight d5→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2bkR3/3q1p2/p2N2p1/2PP2P1/7P/1P3PK1/8 b - - 2 40

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