Chess Puzzle #aro6y — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2296 · Expert · deflection, endgame, equality, exposed king, long.

Position

White: king c3; queen b3; rook c1; bishop e4; pawns a2/b2/e5/f3. Black: king c7; rooks d2/h2; knight b6; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c1→c2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nd5+ — knight b6→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king c3→c4).
  3. Best move: Rxc2+ — rook d2→c2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop e4→c2, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxc2+ — rook h2→c2, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, equality, exposed king, long. The key move Rxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1k2p2/1np1p3/4P1p1/4B3/1QK2P2/PP1r3r/2R5 w - - 0 34

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.