Chess Puzzle #07eX5 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d4; rooks d1/f1; pawns a3/c4/d5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook e5; pawns a5/d6/e4/f3/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook d1→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh3 — queen g4→h3. Opponent replies Rb8+ (rook b1→b8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Opponent replies Qa7+ (queen d4→a7, gives check).
4. Best move: Re7 — rook e5→e7. Opponent replies Qxe7+ (queen a7→e7, captures rook, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxe7 — king f7→e7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rg1 (rook f1→g1).
6. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures pawn).
7. Best move: f2 — pawn f3→f2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move is Qh3.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/7p/3p4/p2Pr3/2PQp1q1/P4pP1/5P1P/3R1R1K w - - 1 27

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