Chess Puzzle #78eZM — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/e1; bishops b4/d3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/d8; bishop c8; pawns a7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook e1→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Opponent replies Be1 (bishop b4→e1).
3. Best move: Qd4+ — queen h4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Bf2 (bishop e1→f2).
4. Best move: Rxb3 — rook b8→b3, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxh7+ (bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxh7 — king g8→h7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, very long. The key move is Rb8.

Position data

FEN: r1br2k1/p4ppp/2p5/3p4/1B5q/1Q1B3P/PP4P1/R3R1K1 w - - 3 26

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