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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks d2/e1; bishop c4; knight f3; pawns e5/e6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a3/c8; bishop b7; knight d7; pawns b4/b6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook a3→b3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d2→d7, captures knight. Opponent replies Rc3 (rook b3→c3).
3. Best move: Rxe7 — rook d7→e7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1b1nqpp1/1p2P2p/4P3/1pB5/rQ3N2/3R1PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 25

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