Chess Puzzle #3xpO8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g3; rook e4; knight d6; pawns b2/c4/e5/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks d8/e7; pawns a7/b6/c6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exd6 — pawn e5→d6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen a2→a1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc2 — king c1→c2.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, hanging piece, short. The key move exd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p3rpp1/1ppNp2p/4P2P/2P1R3/6Q1/qP3PP1/2K5 b - - 1 26

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