Chess Puzzle #aZq2R — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a7/b2; knight f3; pawns a4/c4/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; rooks d3/f8; knight f6; pawns a5/c5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa5 — rook a7→a5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Ng4+ — knight f6→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh3 (king h2→h3).
4. Best move: f5 — pawn f7→f5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rd1+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/R4ppp/5n2/p1p5/P1P5/3r1NP1/1R3PP1/6K1 w - - 0 27

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