Chess Puzzle #J7hO8 — Expert, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king d7; rook c7; knight d5; pawns d4/f4/h2. Black: king f8; rooks a6/e6; pawn c3. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re7+ — rook e6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d7→c8).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c8→b7).
4. Best move: Ra7+ — rook a8→a7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Re7+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2RK4/r3r3/3N4/3P1P2/2p5/7P/8 w - - 12 52

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