Chess Puzzle #YDYex — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks a1/e1; bishop d3; knight e5; pawns a2/b3/c5/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/h6; bishops b7/c7; pawns a6/b5/c6/d5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe6 — queen f7→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe6 — rook h6→e6, captures queen. Opponent replies Nf7+ (knight e5→f7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg8 — king h8→g8. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight f7→d8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e6→e1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q3k/1bb2Qpp/p1p1p2r/1pPpN3/3P4/1P1B4/P4PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 4 25

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