Chess Puzzle #3CMpg — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king f1; queen e2; pawns a2/c5/g2/h2. Black: king d4; rook b5; knight d3; pawns f5/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe7 — queen e2→e7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b5→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook b1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e2→d2).
4. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e1→e7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, skewer. The key move is Rb1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/7p/1rP2pp1/3k4/3n4/P3Q1PP/5K2 w - - 2 39

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