Chess Puzzle #3NRAA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen a4; rook a1; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/e4. Black: king h8; queen h2; rook a8; knight g8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh1 — rook a1→h1. Opponent replies Qxh1 (queen h2→h1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxh1 — bishop f3→h1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move is Rh1.

Position data

FEN: r5nk/p7/1p3p2/2p5/Q3P3/4KB2/PP5q/R7 b - - 5 29

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