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

Position

White: king c1; queen g5; rooks h1/h7; bishop e2; knight f5; pawns a4/c3/d3/e4/f3/g4. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks a8/f8; bishop f7; knight a7; pawns a5/b3/c7/e5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook h7→h8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh8 — rook f8→h8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxh8+ (rook h1→h8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb7 — king c8→b7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxh8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1k2r2/n1pq1b1R/8/p3pNQ1/P3P1P1/1pPP1P2/4B3/2K4R w - - 1 31

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