Chess Puzzle #1IIu4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e2; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; rook c6; knight f6; pawns b4/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re5 — rook e2→e5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c6→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Ng4+ — knight f6→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh3 (king h2→h3).
4. Best move: Nxe5 — knight g4→e5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Rc1+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/2r1pn1p/7P/1p6/1B6/PP2RPP1/6K1 w - - 0 35

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