Chess Puzzle #5rnxA — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h4; rooks b6/e3; knight f1; pawns a2/c5/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks a8/f6; knight a6; pawns a5/c6/d5/e6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa6 — rook b6→a6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f6→f2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nd2 — knight f1→d2. Opponent replies Rf1+ (rook f2→f1, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke2 — king e1→e2.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Rxa6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5qp1/nRp1pr1p/p1Pp3P/7Q/4R3/P4PP1/4KN2 b - - 5 24

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