Chess Puzzle #NycdC — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h3; rooks g1/g4; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/h2. Black: king b8; queen d6; rooks d2/f8; pawns a6/b7/c7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: R4g3 — rook g4→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc6+ — queen d6→c6, gives check. Opponent replies R3g2 (rook g3→g2).
3. Best move: Rg8 — rook f8→g8. Opponent replies Nd1 (knight c3→d1).
4. Best move: Rgxg2 — rook g8→g2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Qc6+.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/1pp4p/p2q4/8/6R1/P1N4Q/1PPr3P/6RK w - - 3 34

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