Chess Puzzle #9xOxu — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook a1; pawns c2/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook b8; pawns c5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra5 — rook a1→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qc7+ — queen c6→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qg3 (queen e3→g3).
4. Best move: Qxa5 — queen c7→a5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Rb1+.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5pp1/2q1p2p/2p5/2P5/4Q2P/2P2PP1/R5K1 w - - 1 25

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