Chess Puzzle #8o1vr — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rooks a2/c1; pawns a5/c4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rook f8; bishop f3; pawns e3/f7/g4/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: e2 — pawn e3→e2. Opponent replies Rxe2 (rook a2→e2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Bxe2 — bishop f3→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, short. The key move is e2.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3Q1p1p/8/P7/2P2Pp1/4pbPq/R6P/2R3K1 w - - 0 36

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