Chess Puzzle #1Yx1d — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 942 · Beginner · advantage, endgame, short.

Position

White: king b3; rook c8; bishop g4; knight e5; pawn a5. Black: king h7; queen f2; bishop d3; knight d5; pawns f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc2+ — queen f2→c2, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxc2+ (bishop d3→c2, captures rook, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kxc2 — king b3→c2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Rxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/5ppk/7p/P2nN3/6B1/1K1b4/5q2/8 b - - 1 40

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.