Chess Puzzle #L12kR — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; rooks c8/h7; bishop f5; pawns a4/b2/d3/e4. Black: king f6; rook f1; bishop a5; knight c2; pawns b4/b6/c5/d6/e5/f7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook c8→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook f1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king a2→b3).
3. Best move: Nd4+ — knight c2→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king b3→c4).
4. Best move: b5+ — pawn b6→b5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Ra1+.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/5p1R/1p1p1k2/b1p1pB2/Pp2P3/3P4/KPn5/5r2 w - - 4 41

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