Chess Puzzle #Sskb5 — Advanced, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king f1; rooks c5/h6; pawn h4. Black: king f7; rook c2; knight g3; pawns c3/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke1 — king f1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e1→f2).
3. Best move: Ne4+ — knight g3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f2→e2).
4. Best move: Nxc5 — knight e4→c5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move is Rc1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k2/7R/2R5/6pP/2p3n1/2r5/5K2 w - - 0 42

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