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

Position

White: king c1; queen h6; rook d1; knight b3; pawns a2/c3/e4/f5/g4. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks a6/c8; pawns a4/b5/d6/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3+ — rook c8→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kd2 — king c1→d2. Opponent replies axb3 (pawn a4→b3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxg5+ — queen h6→g5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, sacrifice, short. The key move Qxg5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5q2/r2p3Q/1p3Pp1/p3P1P1/1NP5/P7/2KR4 b - - 0 28

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