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

Position

White: king h2; rook c6; pawns d7/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; rook c4; pawns c5/d2/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook c4→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: d8=Q — pawn d7→d8, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook d4→d8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook c8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, promotion, rook endgame. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3P1p2/2R3p1/2p4p/2r5/6PP/3p1P1K/8 b - - 0 42

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