Chess Puzzle #pLP8X — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks d7/f2; bishop b3; pawns a2/c5/f4/g2/h4. Black: king h6; rooks c1/e1; bishop e4; pawns a7/b7/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd2 — rook f2→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook e1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
3. Best move: Rc3+ — rook c1→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g3→f2).
4. Best move: Rxh4 — rook h1→h4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Rh1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp1R4/6pk/2P2p1p/4bP1P/1B6/P4RPK/2r1r3 w - - 3 36

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