Chess Puzzle #2M9c8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook b5; knight a2; pawns a4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rook c8; knight f6; pawns a5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook b5→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen a6→c4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook c5→c4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c8→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short, X-ray attack. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5ppp/q3pn2/pR6/P1QP4/8/N4PPP/6K1 w - - 1 26

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