Chess Puzzle #1GAhP — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2116 · Expert · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook a1; bishop a2; knights b1/e2; pawns a3/b4/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook d8; bishops b7/f6; pawns a7/b5/e4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd2 — knight b1→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd3 — rook d8→d3. Opponent replies Qxa7 (queen e3→a7, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Rxd2 — rook d3→d2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Rd3.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pbq2ppp/5b2/1p6/1P2p3/P1P1Q2P/B3NPP1/RN4K1 w - - 0 21

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.