Chess Puzzle #6b6F7 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen c5; rooks c1/f1; knights c4/e2; pawns d2/e3/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks b2/c8; bishop g7; pawns e4/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb2 — knight c4→b2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c8→c5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c1→c5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxb2 — bishop g7→b2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/3q1pb1/6p1/2Q3Pp/2N1p2P/4P3/1r1PN3/2R1KR2 w - - 3 31

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