Chess Puzzle #5TsWp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks b3/e5; pawns a4/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king a7; rooks c1/c6; pawns a5/e6/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: R1xc3 — rook c1→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa5+ — rook e5→a5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ra6 (rook c6→a6).
3. Best move: Rxa6+ — rook a5→a6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa6 (king a7→a6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxc3 — rook b3→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, rook endgame. The key move Rxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/k6p/2r1p1p1/p3Rp2/P7/1RP4P/5PPK/2r5 b - - 3 35

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