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

Position

White: king c1; queen c3; rook d1; bishop c6; knights c2/f3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen f2; rook c8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/e5/f6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb1 — king c1→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c8→c6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen c3→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1kr5/pp3p1p/2B2p2/4pb2/8/2Q2N2/PPN2qPP/2KR4 w - - 1 19

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