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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks c2/f1; pawns a2/b3/e3/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks c8/f8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfc1 — rook f1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen a3→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook c2→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short, X-ray attack. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1p3pp1/p3p2p/3pP3/8/qP1QP3/P1R2PPP/5RK1 w - - 3 21

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