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

Position

White: king b2; queen c5; rook a5; pawns a6/e3/e4/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook a8; pawns b3/c4/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa6 — rook a8→a6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rxa6 — rook a5→a6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, intermezzo, master, short. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5pp1/Pq4p1/R1Q3P1/2p1P2P/1p2P3/1K6/8 b - - 2 38

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