Chess Puzzle #39ELy — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rook b1; knight d5; pawns b6/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h7; queen d8; rook a6; pawns f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook a6→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies b8=Q (pawn b7→b8, promotes to queen).
3. Best move: Qxd5 — queen d8→d5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3q4/5ppk/rPQ4p/3N4/8/6PP/5P2/1R4K1 w - - 3 44

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