Chess Puzzle #HC80i — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook e7; pawns a4/d7/e5/g3/h2. Black: king d5; rook d8; pawns b4/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
3. Best move: b2 — pawn b3→b2. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook e8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: b1=Q+ — pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, promotion, rook endgame. The key move is b3.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/3PR2p/6p1/3kPp2/Pp6/6P1/7P/7K w - - 1 44

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