Chess Puzzle #2NLhC — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; queen e1; rook c7; pawn g2. Black: king c4; queen d3; knights c5/d4; pawns a4/f5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen d3→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5+ — rook c7→c5, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king c4→c5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen e1→c3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Rxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R5/8/2n2p2/p1kn4/3q4/6PK/4Q3 b - - 9 52

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