Chess Puzzle #2kC0w — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen b4; rook e1; bishop d4; pawns a3/c2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook e8; knight c5; pawns a4/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka1 — king a2→a1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe1 (queen b4→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen d5→d4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5p2/6p1/2nq2Pp/pQ1B3P/P7/K1P5/4R3 w - - 2 38

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