Chess Puzzle #kcwuR — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rooks c7/f3; pawns f2/g2/h4. Black: king g7; rooks a2/c2; pawns c3/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook c2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rcxf7+ — rook c7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
3. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f3→f2, captures rook. Opponent replies c2 (pawn c3→c2).
4. Best move: Rf1 — rook f2→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, intermezzo, long, rook endgame. The key move Rcxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R2pkp/4p1p1/8/7P/2p2R1K/r1r2PP1/8 b - - 7 37

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