Chess Puzzle #4rg1E — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; rook c1; knight b6; pawns a4/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g7; rook b8; knight d2; pawns a5/e5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c1→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb6+ — rook b8→b6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb6 (rook c6→b6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nc4+ — knight d2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king b2→c3).
4. Best move: Nxb6 — knight c4→b6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/5pkp/1N4p1/p3p3/P7/6P1/1K1nPP1P/2R5 w - - 1 31

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