Chess Puzzle #DZIYA — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks c1/c4; pawns a2/b3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks c8/d4; pawns a7/c5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c4→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c8→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc5 (queen c2→c5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen e5→c5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4p1p/6p1/2p1q3/2RrP3/1P5P/P1Q3P1/2R3K1 w - - 3 34

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