Chess Puzzle #1qaaj — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rook c1; pawns a5/b5/c4/g2/h2. Black: king b8; rook d4; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/e4/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook c1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d4→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd1 (queen e2→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nf2+ — knight g4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
4. Best move: Nxd1 — knight f2→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/pp4pp/8/PP3p2/2Prp1n1/8/4Q1PP/2R4K w - - 0 33

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