Chess Puzzle #zR51s — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishop a4; knight b7; pawns a3/b2/c4/d5/e6/f2/g2. Black: king g7; rooks a8/h7; bishop g4; knight e7; pawns a6/c5/f4/f6/g5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: f3 — pawn f4→f3. Opponent replies Nd8 (knight b7→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures knight. Opponent replies dxe7 (pawn d6→e7, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rdh8 — rook d8→h8. Opponent replies e8=N+ (pawn e7→e8, promotes to knight, gives check).
5. Best move: Kg6 — king g7→g6. Opponent replies Bc2+ (bishop a4→c2, gives check).
6. Best move: f5 — pawn f6→f5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move is f3.

Position data

FEN: r7/1N2n1kr/p3Pp2/2pP2p1/B1P2pb1/P7/1P3PP1/R3R1K1 w - - 1 25

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