Chess Puzzle #KnO9v — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d3; rook h1; knight f6; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f2/f3. Black: king f7; queen b5; rook c8; pawns a6/b4/d7/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc2+ — rook c8→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king e2→e1).
3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d3→d1).
4. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook c1→d1, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin. The key move Rxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/3p1k1p/p3pNp1/1q6/1p1P4/3QPP2/PP2KP2/7R w - - 1 25

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