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

Position

White: king f2; rooks b6/c1; pawns a6/b7/c6/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a7/c7; knight b8; pawns d5/e5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa6 — rook a7→a6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa6 — rook b6→a6, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxa6 (knight b8→a6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ra1 — rook c1→a1. Opponent replies Nb8 (knight a6→b8).
4. Best move: Ra8 — rook a1→a8. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
5. Best move: Rxb8 — rook a8→b8, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, very long. The key move Rxa6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1n4k1/rPr3pp/PRP1p3/3pp3/8/5P2/5KPP/2R5 b - - 4 34

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