Chess Puzzle #3prLz — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks c2/e6; knight e7; pawns b4/f5/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c7/c8; bishop a3; pawns a6/d5/h6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c7→c2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nd6+ — knight c8→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king f7→f8).
4. Best move: f6 — pawn f5→f6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Nxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2r1N2p/p3R2p/3p1P2/1P6/b6P/2R5/7K b - - 1 29

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