Chess Puzzle #gedXV — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/f7; knights c4/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks c6/f2; pawns a5/b7/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa5 — knight c4→a5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rcxc2+ — rook c6→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Rxb2+ — rook c2→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
4. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook b2→a2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move Rcxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1p3R1p/2r5/p7/2N5/5N2/PPP2r1P/2KR4 w - - 3 31

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