Chess Puzzle #Jf3FH — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1578 · Intermediate · advantage, middlegame, short, trapped piece.

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c8/f8; bishop e7; knights d7/f6; pawns b7/d6/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd2 — bishop c1→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8 — rook c8→a8. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen a7→a8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxa8 — rook f8→a8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short, trapped piece. The key move is Ra8.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/Qpqnbpp1/3p1n1p/4p3/3PP3/2N2N2/PP3PPP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 3 13

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.