Chess Puzzle #1mueY — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f3; rooks c4/f2; pawns a3/b4/d5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king h8; queen f5; rooks e2/e8; pawns a4/b7/c7/d6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: R8e3 — rook e8→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2 — rook f2→e2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe2+ (rook e3→e2, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxe2 — queen f3→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/1pp3pp/3p4/3P1q2/pPR2P1P/P4QP1/4rRK1/8 b - - 3 33

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