Chess Puzzle #57nyL — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d2; rooks a1/h1; bishop b5; knight g1; pawns a4/b2/d5/e4/f3/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen b8; rooks a8/f8; knights c8/f6; pawns c7/d6/e5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh3 — knight g1→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb5 — queen b8→b5, captures bishop. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a4→b5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxa1+ — rook a8→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e1→f2).
4. Best move: Rxh1 — rook a1→h1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, skewer. The key move Rxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rqn2r2/2p2pkp/3p1np1/1B1Pp3/P3P2P/5P2/1P1Q2P1/R3K1NR w KQ - 1 17

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