Chess Puzzle #pV867 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2111 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rooks c3/e1; knight e4; pawns a4/b3/c2/e3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen b6; rooks b4/d8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight e4→c5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8 — rook d8→c8. Opponent replies Nxe6 (knight c5→e6, captures bishop).
  3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Rc8.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/pp3pp1/1q2b1p1/8/Pr2NP2/1PR1P2P/2P1Q1P1/2K1R3 w - - 1 26

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.