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

Position

White: king e4; rooks d1/e2; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king f6; rook e8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/e3/g4/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd5 — king e4→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook e8→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king d5→c4).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pp6/1b3k2/7p/4KPpP/2P1p1P1/PP2R3/3R4 w - - 2 37

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