Chess Puzzle #VANK3 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/e1; knight f6; pawns a2/b3/e4/f4/g5/h2. Black: king b8; queen b6; rooks d8/h8; knight e3; pawns a7/b7/c6/d4/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e1→e3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: dxe3 — pawn d4→e3, captures rook. Opponent replies Nd7+ (knight f6→d7, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d8→d7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen d2→d7, captures rook).
4. Best move: e2 — pawn e3→e2. Opponent replies Qd6+ (queen d7→d6, gives check).
5. Best move: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Opponent replies Re1 (rook d1→e1).
6. Best move: Rd8 — rook h8→d8.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, master, middlegame, very long. The key move dxe3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/pp6/1qp2Np1/6P1/3pPP2/1P2n3/P2Q3P/1K1RR3 w - - 1 28

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