Chess Puzzle #Ikkh1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/f1; bishop g2; knight e2; pawns a3/b2/d4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen d6; rooks c8/e8; bishop g4; knight d5; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfe1 — rook f1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e8→e2, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxe2 (rook e1→e2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen d2→c1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxe2 — bishop g4→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r3/p4pkp/1p1q2p1/3n4/3P2b1/P5P1/1P1QNPBP/2R2RK1 w - - 4 20

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