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

Rating 844 · Beginner · crushing, endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks b1/f1; pawns a5/b6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks d2/d8; pawns f4/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfd1 — rook f1→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d2→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook b1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d4→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5p1p/1P4p1/P7/3q1p2/8/3rQPPP/1R3RK1 w - - 11 33

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.