Chess Puzzle #2LFl1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen d2; pawns a5/b4/c3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king f7; rook c4; knight e4; pawns a7/b6/c6/d5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen d2→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3+ — rook c4→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen c2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures queen. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a5→b6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: axb6 — pawn a7→b6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p4k1p/1pp3p1/P2p4/1Pr1nP2/2P2KP1/3Q3P/8 w - - 1 40

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