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

Position

White: king e3; rook c7; knight c2; pawns a2/b3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king f6; rook b6; bishop d5; pawns b7/d6/e7/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook b6→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nb4 — knight c2→b4. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f6→e6).
3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight b4→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nb4.

Position data

FEN: 8/1pR1p3/1r1p1kp1/3b1p1p/5P1P/1P2K1P1/P1N5/8 b - - 0 31

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