Chess Puzzle #a5boO — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks c1/f1; bishop g2; knight h4; pawns a3/b2/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks d8/f8; bishop b7; knight e7; pawns a7/b6/f6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd1 — rook f1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d7→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
4. Best move: Rc8 — rook f8→c8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/pb1qnp1p/1p3p2/7Q/7N/P5P1/1P2PPBP/2R2RK1 w - - 5 18

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