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

Rating 770 · Beginner · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks d1/f1; bishop g5; knight c3; pawns a2/b3/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks a8/e8; bishop h8; knight f5; pawns a7/c7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd3 — queen d4→d3, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd3 — rook d1→d3, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxc3 (bishop h8→c3, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook d3→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1kb/p1p1pp1p/6p1/5nB1/2Pq4/1PNQ3P/P4PP1/3R1RK1 b - - 0 18

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.