Chess Puzzle #1iSk6 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen a7; rook f1; pawns a2/b2/c3. Black: king h7; rooks d8/g4; bishop f4; pawns b7/c6/e4/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen a7→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook d8→b8. Opponent replies Qxb8 (queen b7→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxb8 — bishop f4→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move is Rb8.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/Qp3p1k/2p4p/8/4pbr1/1KP5/PP6/5R2 w - - 0 31

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