Chess Puzzle #HiX2d — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rook c5; bishop b4; knight e1; pawns a3/a4/d4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rook e7; knight c4; pawns b7/c7/d5/f7/g5/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook c5→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re2 — rook e7→e2. Opponent replies Rxg5+ (rook d5→g5, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Opponent replies Rxh5+ (rook g5→h5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxh5 — queen h3→h5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Re2.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1pp1rp2/8/2Rp2pp/PBnP4/PQ3PPq/7P/4N1K1 w - - 1 31

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