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

Position

White: king e3; rooks c1/f1; knight a2; pawns a3/b4/d4/g5/h4. Black: king d6; rooks c4/c8; bishop e4; pawns a4/b5/d5/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook c4→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook f1→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook c8→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxc1 — knight a2→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxc1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/5p2/3k2p1/1p1p2Pp/pPrPb2P/P3K3/N7/2R2R2 b - - 0 46

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