Chess Puzzle #0Nx0v — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e5; rooks d1/h1; bishop b1; pawns b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b3; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3+ — rook c8→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen b3→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bc2 (bishop b1→c2).
4. Best move: Rc8 — rook f8→c8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice. The key move Rxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pb3p1p/4p1p1/3pQ3/3P4/1qP5/1P3PPP/1BKR3R w - - 2 21

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