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

Position

White: king c1; rooks c3/d2; bishop g7; pawns a2/b3/c2/e4/f6/h2. Black: king f7; rooks d7/e6; bishop h5; pawns a6/b6/c7/e5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook d7→d2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook c3→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rd7 (rook d2→d7).
3. Best move: Rxd7+ — rook c7→d7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/2pr1kBp/pp2rPp1/4p2b/4P3/1PR5/P1PR3P/2K5 b - - 1 31

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