Chess Puzzle #pdcr2 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2142 · Expert · crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, quiet move, skewer.

Position

White: king c2; queen c8; rook a5; pawns a6/d5/e4/f5/g3/h4. Black: king g7; queen a7; rook b6; pawns e7/f6/g4/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kc3 — king c2→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1 — rook b6→b1. Opponent replies Qc5 (queen c8→c5).
  3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook b1→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c3→b4).
  4. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, quiet move, skewer. The key move is Rb1.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/q3p1k1/Pr3p2/R2P1P1p/4P1pP/6P1/2K5/8 w - - 12 63

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

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.