Chess Puzzle #C9kzO — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2533 · Master · advantage, endgame, long, pin.

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rook d1; knight f1; pawns a3/b4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook c2; knight e2; pawns a6/e3/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d1→d7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1 — rook c2→c1. Opponent replies Rxg7+ (rook d7→g7, captures pawn, gives check).
  3. Best move: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Opponent replies Qf3+ (queen b7→f3, gives check).
  4. Best move: Kxg7 — king f8→g7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1Q4p1/p3q2p/8/1P6/P3p2P/2r1n1P1/3R1N1K w - - 0 31

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.