Chess Puzzle #2lVV0 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rooks g1/h8; knight f5; pawns a2/b2/d3/e4. Black: king f7; queen e2; rooks e8/f2; pawns a6/b6/c5/c7/e5/g5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook h8→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen e2→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Nh4 (knight f5→h4).
3. Best move: Rf4 — rook f2→f4. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook e8→e5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxh4+ — rook f4→h4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h1→g2).
5. Best move: Rg4 — rook h4→g4.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, exposed king, pin, very long. The key move Rxh4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r2R/2p2k2/pp6/2p1pNp1/4P3/3P2Q1/PP2qr2/6RK w - - 2 37

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