Chess Puzzle #1Qfza — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook f2; pawns a2/b2/d3/d5/e4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rook c8; pawns a7/b7/d6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook f2→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc2 — rook c8→c2. Opponent replies Qf2 (queen d4→f2).
3. Best move: Rxf2 — rook c2→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Rc2.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp3p2/3p2pp/3P4/3QP3/3P2Pq/PP3R1P/6K1 w - - 1 31

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