Chess Puzzle #CExAa — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rooks a1/f1; knight a3; pawns a2/b3/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks d2/d4; pawns c7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1 — rook d2→d1. Opponent replies Qc8+ (queen h3→c8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
4. Best move: Rxe1 — rook d1→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move is Rd1.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2p2pp1/7p/8/3rP3/NP3P1Q/P2rq1PP/R4R1K w - - 1 30

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