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

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks c1/f1; bishop e2; pawns a3/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen a5; rooks c8/f8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/d5/f6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg4 — bishop e2→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook f1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook f8→c8. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d4→d1).
4. Best move: Rxc1 — rook c8→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen d1→c1, captures rook).
5. Best move: Bxg4 — bishop e6→g4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, clearance, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Rxc1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r2/pp3pkp/4bp2/q2p4/3Q4/P3P3/1P2BPPP/2R2RK1 w - - 1 18

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