Chess Puzzle #BWwxr — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook d4; bishop e2; pawns a5/b6/e3/f2/f4/h2. Black: king e8; rooks c1/c8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook c8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d4→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd8 (king e8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: bxa7 — pawn b6→a7, captures pawn. Opponent replies c2 (pawn c3→c2).
4. Best move: a8=Q+ — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1k3/pp3p1p/1P3np1/P7/3R1P2/2p1P3/4BPKP/2r5 b - - 0 31

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