Chess Puzzle #1Ca6R — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen b4; rook a1; pawns a4/d6/f2/g3/h4. Black: king c8; queen c7; rook h8; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/e4/f5/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen c7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook a1→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Rc7 — rook c1→c7. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d7→c7, captures rook).
4. Best move: dxc7+ — pawn d6→c7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move dxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/1pq5/p2P2n1/5p1p/PQ2p2P/6P1/5PK1/R7 b - - 0 30

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