Chess Puzzle #2MJ2v — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rook c1; pawns d4/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b4; knight f5; pawns a5/b7/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne7 — knight f5→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7 — rook c1→c7. Opponent replies Qb1+ (queen b4→b1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Rc7.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3p1p/4pQp1/p2pPn2/1q1P4/7P/5PP1/2R3K1 b - - 1 26

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