Chess Puzzle #NGhA8 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rooks a1/f8; pawns b3/c2/d3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b4; rooks a6/a8; pawns a5/c5/d4/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb4 — queen c4→b4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c5→b4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook f8→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxa8 — rook a6→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4R2/6pk/r6p/p1p5/1qQp4/1P1P3P/2P3P1/R6K w - - 7 29

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