Chess Puzzle #gGU1C — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen c2; rooks d1/h1; knight d3; pawns a2/d4/e5/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks a6/c8; pawns a7/c3/e6/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhe1 — rook h1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook c8→b8. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook d1→b1).
3. Best move: Rb2 — rook b8→b2. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b1→b2, captures rook).
4. Best move: cxb2+ — pawn c3→b2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb2 (queen c2→b2, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Qxd3 — queen a3→d3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, collinear, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move cxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4p2/r3p1p1/4P2p/3P4/q1pN1P1P/P1Q3P1/K2R3R w - - 0 29

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