Chess Puzzle #zo2o7 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e6; knight e5; pawns a3/g5/h3. Black: king g8; rook b2; knight f6; pawns a4/b7/c7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight f6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: g6+ — pawn g5→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
4. Best move: h4 — pawn h3→h4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Re8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1pp3p1/4Rn2/4N1P1/p7/P6P/1r6/6K1 b - - 0 30

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