Chess Puzzle #2860s — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook c2; pawns a2/b3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook c3; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook c2→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook c1→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/p7/q3p3/4Q1Pp/1Pr4P/P1R2P2/6K1 w - - 0 31

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