Chess Puzzle #z5cmr — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks f3/f8; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h4. Black: king h7; queen a4; pawns a7/b7/e4/e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf2 — rook f3→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Opponent replies Re2 (rook f2→e2).
3. Best move: Qa6 — queen a4→a6. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e2→e3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qd6+ — queen a6→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
5. Best move: Qxf8 — queen d6→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, queen rook endgame, very long. The key move is e3.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/pp4pk/4p2p/8/q2Pp2P/2P2R2/PP4PK/8 w - - 0 35

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