Chess Puzzle #b5I2l — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f1; pawns a2/b2/d3/e4. Black: king g7; rook c7; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/d4/e5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe1 — queen f1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook c7→c1. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen e1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight f4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
4. Best move: Nxc1 — knight e2→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, pin, sacrifice. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 8/ppr3k1/8/4p3/3pPn2/3P4/PP6/5QK1 w - - 4 40

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