Chess Puzzle #Mdd4i — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rook d2; knight e1; pawns a3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook e3; bishop d3; pawns a7/c5/f4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd3 — rook d2→d3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e3→e1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe1 (queen d1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd3 — queen c4→d3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p5p1/7p/2p5/2q2p2/P2brP1P/3R2P1/3QN2K w - - 0 39

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