Chess Puzzle #aSDE7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks d1/f1; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks a8/f8; knight a6; pawns a5/b7/d6/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight a6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd3 — rook d1→d3. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight c7→e8).
3. Best move: Rh3 — rook d3→h3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Rd3.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1p3p2/n2pq3/p7/7Q/P7/1P3PPP/3R1RK1 b - - 3 22

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