Chess Puzzle #1Cq7f — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks b1/c1; knight d3; pawns b3/e3/e5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks c3/c8; bishop a6; pawns a5/b4/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf4 — knight d3→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c3→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/4qppp/b7/p2pP3/1p1Q4/1PrNP1P1/5P1P/1RR3K1 w - - 2 27

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