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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks c1/d5; bishop c4; pawns a2/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook b8; bishops d6/h3; pawns a7/c5/e4/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen c2→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb2 — rook b8→b2. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f2→f4).
3. Best move: Rg2+ — rook b2→g2, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg2 (queen e4→g2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxg2 — bishop h3→g2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, master, middlegame. The key move is Rb2.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p4pp1/3b1q1p/2pR4/2B1p3/4P1Pb/P1Q2P1P/2R3K1 w - - 3 29

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