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

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook c1; pawns a3/b2/f2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook d8; pawns a7/c4/f6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc4 — queen c3→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen e4→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Rd1+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p4pp1/5p1p/8/2p1qP2/P1Q3P1/1P3P1P/2R3K1 w - - 6 26

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