Chess Puzzle #6NIS0 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f8; rook g1; knight d2; pawns b2/c2/e3/e5/f2/h2. Black: king e2; queen a2; rook a6; pawns a5/b7/c6/e4/e6/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh6 — queen f8→h6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb6 — rook a6→b6. Opponent replies b3 (pawn b2→b3).
3. Best move: Qa3+ — queen a2→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
4. Best move: Kxd2 — king e2→d2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Rb6.

Position data

FEN: 5Q2/1p5p/r1p1p1p1/p3Pp2/4p3/4P3/qPPNkP1P/2K3R1 w - - 4 25

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