Chess Puzzle #74SD4 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook b1; bishop c4; pawns a3/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king e6; rook d8; knight a4; pawns a5/c3/d4/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke7 — king e6→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb7+ — rook b1→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e7→f8).
3. Best move: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Opponent replies Re8 (rook d8→e8).
4. Best move: Rf7+ — rook b7→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
5. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Opponent replies Rxe7 (rook e8→e7, captures pawn).
6. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook f7→e7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, discovered attack, endgame, exposed king, very long. The key move Rxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/7p/4k1p1/p3Pp2/n1Bp1P2/P1p3P1/5K1P/1R6 b - - 3 34

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