Chess Puzzle #wCE1Q — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook a1; bishops b3/d2; pawns a2/b2/b7/c2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen h5; rooks d8/f8; bishop f2; pawns a7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be3 — bishop d2→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
3. Best move: Bxe3 — bishop f2→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxe3 (queen c3→e3, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Rxa1 — rook d1→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Rd1+.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/pP4pp/5p2/7q/5P2/1BQ4P/PPPB1bP1/R6K w - - 0 22

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