Chess Puzzle #E1hce — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d3; rooks a1/h4; bishop e4; knight g2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c4/e8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b5/d6/f7/g5/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: gxh4 — pawn g5→h4, captures rook. Opponent replies Bh7+ (bishop e4→h7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Opponent replies Rxe8+ (rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxe8 — king f8→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move gxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4p2/1b1p1q2/1p1P2pp/2r1B2R/2PQ1P2/PP4NP/R4K2 w - - 0 37

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