Chess Puzzle #HFg74 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook c7; knight g4; pawns a4/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g6; queen d1; pawns a6/c6/d5/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc1 — queen d1→c1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6+ — rook c7→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen c1→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne5+ — knight g4→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king g6→f5).
4. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long, master, sacrifice. The key move Rxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R5/p1p3k1/3p2p1/P5N1/7P/1P4PK/3q4 b - - 5 48

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