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

Position

White: king b1; queen e4; rooks f1/h2; knight e6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f3/g4/h5. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks c8/f7; bishop h6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d6/e5/g5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhf2 — rook h2→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: cxd5 — pawn c6→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen e4→d5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Re8 — rook c8→e8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move cxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp2qr1p/2ppN2b/3Pp1pP/4Q1P1/5P2/PPP4R/1K3R2 w - - 0 25

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