Chess Puzzle #1okEK — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook a2; pawns a3/b4/e3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook c3; pawns a6/b7/e4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b4→b5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qd5 — queen d8→d5.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/1p3ppp/p7/8/QP2p3/P1r1P1P1/R4PP1/6K1 w - - 0 26

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