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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook b1; knights c3/f3; pawns d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook a8; bishop b5; knight f5; pawns b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb5 — rook b1→b5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a8→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook b5→b1).
3. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook a1→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxb1 (knight c3→b1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen b6→b1, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p3ppp/1q2p3/1b1pPn2/3P4/2N2N2/3Q1PPP/1R4K1 w - - 2 21

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