Chess Puzzle #0KXL4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 966 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, master, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rook d1; pawns a4/b3/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e7; queen c5; rook c2; pawns d6/e5/f5/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd2 — rook c2→d2, captures queen. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b4→c5, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d2→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k3/3p3p/2qPppp1/P7/1P5P/2rQ1PP1/3R3K w - - 1 36

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.