Chess Puzzle #1NTMo — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rooks d1/d5; bishop f4; pawns a2/f3/g5. Black: king g8; rooks a8/c4; knight c5; pawns a3/b4/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na4 — knight c5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Be5+ — bishop f4→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5p2/6p1/2nR2Pp/1pr2B2/p4PK1/P7/3R4 b - - 2 34

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