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

Position

White: king e2; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/d5/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen g2; rooks c8/e8; pawns a5/b6/c7/d6/f4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rag1 — rook a1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e2→d2).
3. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen g2→f2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/2p3pp/1p1p4/p2P4/5p1P/1P2PNP1/P1Q1KPq1/R6R w - - 0 22

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