Chess Puzzle #GxMkO — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/g7; bishop b7; pawns c6/f3. Black: king d5; queen f4; rook a3; pawn a7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7+ — rook g7→d7, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kc5 — king d5→c5. Opponent replies Rd5+ (rook d7→d5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxd5 — king c5→d5, captures rook. Opponent replies c7+ (pawn c6→c7, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd6 — king d5→d6. Opponent replies c8=Q (pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen).
5. Best move: Qh4+ — queen f4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
6. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen h4→e1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, exposed king, fork, very long. The key move Qxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/pB4R1/2P5/3k4/5q2/r4P2/8/4R2K w - - 7 45

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