Chess Puzzle #ze3hr — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rook c8; bishop e3; pawns f4/g2/h5. Black: king h7; queen a4; rook d3; bishop g7; pawns a5/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop g7→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7 — rook c8→c7. Opponent replies Bg7 (bishop d4→g7).
3. Best move: Rxf7 — rook c7→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe4 (queen a4→e4).
4. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen e4→f5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rxf5 — rook f7→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, very long. The key move is Rc7.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/5pbk/4p1pp/p6P/q4P2/3rB1Q1/6PK/8 b - - 0 35

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