Chess Puzzle #1AvIE — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1370 · Intermediate · crushing, endgame, long, pin.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; bishop c5; pawns a2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/c8; bishop d7; pawns a7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop c5→d4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
  3. Best move: Bc6 — bishop d7→c6. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen e4→c6, captures bishop).
  4. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c1→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Rc1+.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/p2b2p1/7p/2B5/4Q3/6P1/P4P1P/6K1 w - - 1 32

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.