Chess Puzzle #1CYRH — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/e1; bishop g2; pawns d4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; rooks a8/b8; pawns a6/c4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Reb1 — rook e1→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen b4→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb1 (rook a1→b1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook b8→b1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rr4k1/5pp1/p3p2p/3p4/1qpP4/5QP1/5PBP/R3R1K1 w - - 2 24

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