Chess Puzzle #E6JM5 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; rook a7; knight g5; pawns d4/e3/e6/g3/h6. Black: king e8; rook h2; bishop c3; pawns a2/d5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h7 — pawn h6→h7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a1=Q — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook a7→a1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxa1 — bishop c3→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, promotion, short. The key move is a1=Q.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/R7/4P2P/3p2N1/3P4/2b1PKP1/p6r/8 w - - 1 44

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