Chess Puzzle #2HvaI — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook f1; pawns a3/b4/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d3; rook d2; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa7 — queen e3→a7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1 — rook d2→d1. Opponent replies Qb8+ (queen a7→b8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Rd1.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp3pp1/4p1p1/8/1P6/P1PqQ3/3r1PPP/5RK1 w - - 9 31

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