Chess Puzzle #1uNb6 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rooks c1/c2; pawns b2/b3/b5/e5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c5/c8; pawns a5/b4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c2→c5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c8→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c1→c5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen b6→c5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5ppp/1q2p3/pPrpP3/1p6/1P1Q1P2/1PR3PP/2R4K w - - 9 26

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