Chess Puzzle #8ces5 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; knight a4; pawns b3/c2/c6/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks b8/f8; pawns b4/c3/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nb6 — knight a4→b6. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook d8→b8).
4. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/4pp1p/2P3p1/4P3/Np6/1Pp4P/2P3P1/3R2K1 b - - 0 29

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