Chess Puzzle #5Q8k1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks d3/e2; pawns b5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rook c8; bishop a5; pawns a7/b6/d7/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook e2→e7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook c1→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king e2→f3).
4. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e1→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, skewer. The key move is Rc1+.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p2p2pp/1p3p2/bP6/8/3R4/4RPPP/5K2 w - - 1 40

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