Chess Puzzle #9poce — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks b6/c6; knight h7; pawns a2/b3/d4/e3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king e7; rooks b8/g8; bishop d6; knight b5; pawns b4/d5/e6/f5/f6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight b5→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd6 — rook c6→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxb6 (rook b8→b6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb6 — rook d6→b6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4r1/4k2N/1RRbpp2/1n1p1p2/1p1P3P/1P2P3/P4PP1/6K1 b - - 6 27

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