Chess Puzzle #0vXTW — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1442 · Intermediate · capturing the defender, crushing, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks b7/d1; bishops b1/g3; pawns a2/e4/f3/h3. Black: king h8; queen b2; rooks d8/e8; knight f8; pawns a7/b6/f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen d5→b3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb3 — queen b2→b3, captures queen. Opponent replies axb3 (pawn a2→b3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rrn1k/pR4p1/1p3p1p/3Q4/4P3/5PBP/Pq6/1B1R2K1 w - - 3 28

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.