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

Position

White: king d2; rooks c1/c3; knight c5; pawns d4/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king e7; rooks c6/c8; bishop b5; pawns a6/d5/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight c5→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c6→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc3 (rook c1→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxc3 (king d2→c3, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxd3 — bishop b5→d3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/4k3/p1r3p1/1bNp1p1p/3P3P/2R1P1P1/3K1P2/2R5 w - - 3 31

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