Chess Puzzle #9sDyE — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook a1; bishops c4/f4; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e1; rooks a8/e8; bishop g1; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe1 — queen c3→e1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures queen. Opponent replies Bd2 (bishop f4→d2).
3. Best move: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Opponent replies Bxe1 (bishop d2→e1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Rxe1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/ppp2ppp/8/8/2B2B2/2Q4P/PP4P1/RN2q1bK w - - 3 20

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