Chess Puzzle #1kQ3t — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; rook g1; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5/f4/g5. Black: king e6; rook d7; pawns a6/b4/c4/d3/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook g1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook c1→d1).
3. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame. The key move is d2.

Position data

FEN: 8/3r3p/p3k1p1/4P1P1/1ppPKP2/3p4/PP6/6R1 w - - 0 39

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