Chess Puzzle #3afRE — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; rooks c1/e1; bishop e3; knight d6; pawns a3/b2/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks b8/d7; bishop h5; knight b6; pawns a7/c4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c1→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight b6→c4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen a5→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook d7→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1qr1ppp/1n1Np3/Q3P2b/2p5/P3B2P/1P3PP1/2R1R1K1 w - - 2 23

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