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

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a1/d7; bishop g3; pawns c4/d5/e3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b8; rooks b1/e8; bishop d6; pawns c5/e5/f6/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb1 — rook a1→b1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen b8→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
3. Best move: Rb8 — rook e8→b8. Opponent replies Rxg7+ (rook d7→g7, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf8 — king g8→f8.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Qxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1q2r1k1/3R2p1/3b1pp1/2pPp3/Q1P5/4PPB1/6PP/Rr4K1 w - - 10 29

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