Chess Puzzle #ZyI16 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks c5/f1; pawns a4/b3/f2/h4. Black: king c7; queen e5; rook a8; bishop b8; knight h2; pawns a5/b7/d5/e4/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd8 — king c7→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d8→e7).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook c8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e7→f6).
4. Best move: Rf8+ — rook e8→f8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: rb6/1pk3p1/4p3/pQRpq3/P3p2P/1P6/5P1n/5RK1 b - - 0 28

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