Chess Puzzle #5GvNp — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen d1; rooks a1/c2; bishop b5; pawns b4/c3/e5/f4/g5/h4. Black: king h8; queen f7; rooks c7/c8; bishop e3; pawns d5/e6/f5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c7→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c2→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc3 (rook c8→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
4. Best move: Be8 — bishop b5→e8.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/2r2qp1/4p2p/1B1pPpP1/1P3P1P/2P1b1K1/2R5/R2Q4 b - - 2 38

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