Chess Puzzle #ta9qa — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rooks b7/f1; pawns a4/c6/d3/f3/g2. Black: king h8; queen d5; rooks d8/g8; bishop b4; pawns c7/e5/f4/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb4 — rook b7→b4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rdf8 — rook d8→f8. Opponent replies Qe4 (queen f5→e4).
3. Best move: Qc5+ — queen d5→c5, gives check. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d3→d4).
4. Best move: Qxb4 — queen c5→b4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe5+ (queen e4→e5, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Rg7 — rook g8→g7.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, interference, very long. The key move is Rdf8.

Position data

FEN: 3r2rk/1Rp4p/2P5/3qpQ2/Pb3p2/3P1P2/6P1/5RK1 w - - 0 33

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