Chess Puzzle #iSt4J — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rook d7; knight f4; pawns c2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook a8; knight c4; pawns a4/c5/c7/f7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook d7→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook a8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
4. Best move: Ne3 — knight c4→e3.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is a3.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2pR1p2/7p/2p5/p1n1PN2/5P2/2P3PP/2K5 w - - 0 34

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