Chess Puzzle #OTBi1 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen e5; rooks d1/h1; bishop g5; pawns a2/b2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c2; rooks d8/e2; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qh8+ (queen e5→h8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd7 — king c8→d7. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook h1→c1).
4. Best move: Re1 — rook e2→e1. Opponent replies Qg7+ (queen h8→g7, gives check).
5. Best move: Kc6 — king d7→c6. Opponent replies Qh6+ (queen g7→h6, gives check).
6. Best move: Rd6 — rook d5→d6. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook c1→e1, captures rook).
7. Best move: Rxh6 — rook d6→h6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/ppp5/8/3nQpB1/8/8/PPq1r2P/K2R3R w - - 2 22

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