Chess Puzzle #dJsve — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c2; knights a3/c3; pawns b5/d4/e3/f3/g2/g3. Black: king g8; rook c8; knights b7/d6; pawns a4/b6/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa4 — knight c3→a4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra8 — rook c8→a8. Opponent replies Nxb6 (knight a4→b6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxa3 — rook a8→a3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move is Ra8.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1n3pp1/1p1n3p/1P1p4/p2P4/N1N1PPP1/2R3P1/6K1 w - - 5 40

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