Chess Puzzle #39Sye — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks e1/e2; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks e4/e8; bishop f4; pawns a6/b7/c4/d5/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be3 — bishop f4→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e2→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e4→e3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e1→e3, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e8→e3, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe3 — queen f2→e3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1pq3p1/p4p1p/3p4/2pPrb2/2P2N2/PP2RQPP/4R1K1 b - - 5 23

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