Chess Puzzle #2scIi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook b1; bishop b2; pawns a3/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen e6; rooks b8/e8; pawns a6/c6/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b8→b2, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxb2 — rook b1→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, quiet move, short. The key move is c4.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r2k/Q5pp/p1p1q3/5p2/8/P1P3P1/1B3P1P/1R4K1 b - - 3 28

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