Chess Puzzle #BGf6q — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1557 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/d1; knight c5; pawns a6/b4/c3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; rooks d8/e3; bishop e5; knight c4; pawns d5/g3/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb8 — bishop e5→b8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies Bxa7 (bishop b8→a7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a1→a7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, equality, middlegame, short. The key move is a7.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/8/P7/2Npb2p/1Pn4P/2P1r1p1/6P1/R2R2K1 b - - 0 36

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.