Chess Puzzle #1MC2v — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 728 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, queenside attack, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b1; rooks d1/h1; pawns a2/b2/d3/e4/f4/h5. Black: king g8; rooks c2/c8; pawns a5/b4/d6/e6/f6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook d1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c2→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook h1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queenside attack, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/7p/3ppp2/p6P/1p2PP2/3P4/PPr5/1K1R3R w - - 0 33

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.