Chess Puzzle #1DsMm — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1997 · Advanced · equality, long, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king e2; queen g1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/g6; knight e5; pawns a2/c3/d4/f2/h5/h6. Black: king h8; queen d5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knights c6/e7; pawns a7/b7/c4/c7/e6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf7+ — knight e5→f7, gives check. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxf7 (bishop g6→f7, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qe4+ — queen d5→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e2→f1).
  4. Best move: Qd3+ — queen e4→d3, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r1k/ppp1n3/2n1p1BP/3qN2P/2pP4/2P5/P3KP2/R1B3QR w - - 1 19

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.