Chess Puzzle #1Cj3v — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 837 · Beginner · advantage, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks d1/e3; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks c8/f8; bishop e4; pawns d4/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen a6→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook c1→f1, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/5qpp/Q7/3p4/3pb3/1P2RN1P/P4PP1/3R2K1 w - - 0 27

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.