Chess Puzzle #hlI32 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rooks c6/e4; pawns a3/b4/f4/g4/h4. Black: king f6; rook a7; bishop e5; knight e6; pawns b5/c2/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook a7→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: fxe5+ — pawn f4→e5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f6→e7).
3. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook c6→c7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc7 (knight e6→c7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Re1 — rook e4→e1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, exposed king, long. The key move fxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/r4ppp/2R1nk2/1p2b3/1P2RPPP/P5K1/2p5/8 b - - 0 41

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