Chess Puzzle #h5A0I — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; rook a2; knight e5; pawns c4/e3/f4/h2. Black: king d6; rook a7; knight b6; pawns a3/c5/e6/f5/g4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight b6→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd2+ — rook a2→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d6→e7).
3. Best move: Nc6+ — knight e5→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e7→f6).
4. Best move: Nxa7 — knight c6→a7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long, master, master vs master. The key move is Rd2+.

Position data

FEN: 8/r7/1n1kp3/2p1Np2/2P2Pp1/pK2P3/R6P/8 b - - 3 40

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