Chess Puzzle #DL9ug — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f5; rooks d1/e6; knight d6; pawns a2/b2/g2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/g4; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook g4→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rde1 — rook d1→e1. Opponent replies Rh4+ (rook d4→h4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Opponent replies Qb6+ (queen c7→b6, gives check).
4. Best move: R1e3 — rook e1→e3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Rde1.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1pq3pp/p1nNR3/5Q2/6r1/8/PP4P1/3R3K b - - 1 30

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