Chess Puzzle #8XT1c — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks c3/e1; pawns a3/b2/c2/f3/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen d5; rooks c8/e5; bishop c6; pawns a7/b7/f6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen d2→d5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e5→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
3. Best move: Bxd5 — bishop c6→d5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc8+ (rook c3→c8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd7 — king e8→d7.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, intermezzo, long. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k3/pp3p2/2b2p1p/3qr3/8/P1R2PP1/1PPQ3P/2K1R3 w - - 0 25

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