Chess Puzzle #2dEKT — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a7/b1; pawns d4/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king h7; queen d5; rooks c7/e7; pawns b7/f5/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen c3→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c7→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb3 — queen d5→b3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Rc1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/Rpr1rp1k/6pp/3q1p2/3P3P/2Q1P1P1/5P2/1R4K1 w - - 3 46

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