Chess Puzzle #lZXQ2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook e1; pawns a7/b2/b6/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook e8; bishop b7; pawns d4/g5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook e1→c1. Opponent replies d3 (pawn d4→d3).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop b7→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, long, pin, promotion, quiet move. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/Pb5p/1P6/6p1/3pP3/8/1P3KPP/4R3 b - - 0 33

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