Chess Puzzle #Cj7yA — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c8; rooks e1/f1; pawns a4/b3/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen h4; rooks d2/d3; pawns c7/e4/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e1→e3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxe3 — rook d3→e3, captures rook. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qe4 — queen h4→e4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is e3.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/2p2pk1/6p1/7p/P1P1p2q/1P1r3P/3r1PP1/4RRK1 w - - 3 31

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