Chess Puzzle #3HFEz — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks a2/c1; knights c3/e5; pawns a3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen e8; rooks c7/d8; bishop b7; pawns b5/b6/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb5 — knight c3→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c7→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen b2→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb5 — queen e8→b5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rqk2/1br2p1p/1p2p1p1/1p2N3/8/P1N2P2/RQ4PP/2R3K1 w - - 0 30

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