Chess Puzzle #GFxcl — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rook e1; bishop h6; pawns a2/c2/c4/g4/g7/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d7/d8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (8 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1+ — rook d7→d1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1 — rook e1→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd1+ (rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Bc1 — bishop h6→c1. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d1→d8).
4. Best move: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook d8→g8).
5. Best move: Bb2 — bishop c1→b2. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
6. Best move: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Opponent replies gxh5 (pawn g6→h5, captures pawn).
7. Best move: gxh5 — pawn g4→h5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d7→e7).
8. Best move: h6 — pawn h5→h6. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e7→f7).
9. Best move: h7 — pawn h6→h7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxd1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/pp1r2P1/2p1p1pB/8/2P3P1/8/P1P4P/1K2R3 b - - 0 24

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