Chess Puzzle #8AzBF — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; pawns b2/b6/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f6; queen b7; rooks b8/h8; knight f5; pawns d5/e6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb6 — queen b7→b6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra6 — rook a1→a6. Opponent replies Qxa6 (queen b6→a6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxa6 — queen e2→a6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Ra6.

Position data

FEN: 1r5r/1q6/1P2pk1p/3p1np1/8/2P5/1P2QPPP/R3R1K1 b - - 6 33

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