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

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rook b1; pawns a4/d4/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king f6; queen d5; rook c4; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb5 — queen d5→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Rc1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4p2/1p2pkp1/1Q1q3p/P1rP3P/4P1P1/5P2/1R4K1 w - - 3 34

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