Chess Puzzle #epVH9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks b3/c1; knight c3; pawns a4/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks c4/c8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rcxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc3 (rook c8→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxa3 — rook b3→a3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rcxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp3ppp/3bp3/3p4/P1rP4/qRN1P2P/5PP1/2RQ2K1 b - - 3 25

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