Chess Puzzle #3Kit0 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; rook e3; knight c5; pawns a2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a1; rooks c8/e8; pawns a4/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen a1→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rg3 — rook e3→g3. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: Nd7 — knight c5→d7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move is Rg3.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1p3pp1/4p2p/2NpQ3/p2P4/4R2P/P4PPK/q7 b - - 3 26

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