Chess Puzzle #pP5uN — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks f1/g3; bishop e2; pawns b3/c2/c3/d5/f4/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/f8; bishop e7; knight d4; pawns a6/e5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen d2→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen a5→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook g3→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/4b1pp/p7/q2Pp1P1/3n1P1P/1PP3R1/2PQB3/1K3R2 b - - 0 24

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