Chess Puzzle #15JZg — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rooks a1/f1; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c6; rooks c5/h8; pawns a7/b5/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rac1 — rook a1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook c5→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook f1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c6→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/p5pp/2q1p3/1pr1P3/8/PQ3N2/1P4PP/R4R1K w - - 0 25

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