Chess Puzzle #49VTt — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook b5; bishop b6; pawns c3/c7/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rook a8; pawns d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook b5→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a8→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d2→d1).
3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook a1→d1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook d5→d1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d6→d1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, X-ray attack. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2P2ppp/1B1q4/1R1p4/8/2P4P/3Q1PP1/6K1 w - - 3 28

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