Chess Puzzle #bfJ8X — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks e1/e2; knight e6; pawns b2/c3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks c8/e8; bishop b8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook e8→e6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe6 — rook e2→e6, captures rook. Opponent replies Bd6 (bishop b8→d6).
3. Best move: Re7 — rook e6→e7. Opponent replies Bc5+ (bishop d6→c5, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Bxe7 (bishop c5→e7, captures rook).
5. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e1→e7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1br1r1k1/pp4p1/q3NnQp/3p4/8/2P2P1P/1P2R1P1/4R1K1 b - - 2 28

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