Chess Puzzle #1pY0M — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/b3; bishop f3; pawns a2/c2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen a4; rooks b8/e8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b6/d7/f6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba6 — bishop c8→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra3 — rook b3→a3. Opponent replies Qb4 (queen a4→b4).
3. Best move: Rxa6 — rook a3→a6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Re1+ (rook e8→e1, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, skewer. The key move is Ra3.

Position data

FEN: 1rb1r3/p2p1pkp/1p3pp1/8/q1P5/1R1Q1B2/P1P2PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 23

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