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

Position

White: king g2; queen d4; rook d2; bishop h3; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook d8; knight c4; pawns a7/d5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook d2→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe3+ — knight c4→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe3 (queen d4→e3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen c6→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, endgame, short. The key move Nxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p4pp1/2q4p/3p4/2nQ4/1P2P1PB/P2R1PKP/8 w - - 3 33

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