Chess Puzzle #Vv8Q1 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks c2/f1; knight f3; pawns a3/b4/c5/d3/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e7; queen h3; rook f8; bishop d4; knight g4; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/f5/g7/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd6+ — pawn c5→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kxd6 — king e7→d6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rc4 (rook c2→c4).
3. Best move: fxe4 — pawn f5→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxd4+ (rook c4→d4, captures bishop, gives check).
4. Best move: exd4 — pawn e5→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies dxe4 (pawn d3→e4, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rxf3 — rook f8→f3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Kxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/1p2k1p1/p2p4/2P1pp1p/1P1bP1n1/P2P1NPq/2R2P1P/3Q1RK1 w - - 0 20

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