Chess Puzzle #8xHiB — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks a4/c1; bishop e3; pawns e5/g2. Black: king c7; queen e6; rooks e8/g4; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/c4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Reg8 — rook e8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rcxc4+ — rook c1→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook g4→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe6 — queen h3→e6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxg2+ (rook g8→g2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf1 — king g1→f1.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Rcxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pbk5/1p2q3/4P3/R1p3r1/4B2Q/6P1/2R3K1 b - - 1 36

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