Chess Puzzle #hXXE8 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rooks c7/f1; pawns a7/b4/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g5; rooks a8/d8; pawns b5/e4/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd2 — rook d8→d2. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
3. Best move: Qh6 — queen g5→h6. Opponent replies Rf2 (rook f1→f2).
4. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Opponent replies Re2 (rook f2→e2).
5. Best move: Rxe2 — rook d2→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move is Rd2.

Position data

FEN: r2r3k/P1R2Qpp/5p2/1p4q1/1P2p3/2P5/6PP/5R1K w - - 6 33

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