Chess Puzzle #fd0BN — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks b1/e7; knight f4; pawns c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks b8/f8; bishop e6; pawns a6/d4/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb8 — rook b1→b8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb8 — rook f8→b8, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxe6 (knight f4→e6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Opponent replies Nxd4 (knight e6→d4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rb1 — rook b8→b1. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e7→e1).
5. Best move: Rxd1 — rook b1→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, quiet move, very long. The key move Rxb8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/4Rp1p/p3bp2/8/3p1N2/8/q1P2PPP/1R1Q2K1 w - - 2 20

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