Chess Puzzle #46sUP — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c5; rook a3; pawns a7/f2/g3/h4. Black: king b7; rook a8; pawns c6/e5/f5/f6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a8→a7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa7+ — rook a3→a7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa7 (king b7→a7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kxc6 — king c5→c6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, rook endgame, short. The key move Rxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/Pk6/2p2p2/2K1pp1p/7P/R5P1/5P2/8 b - - 5 39

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