Chess Puzzle #3j0mc — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d2; rook e5; pawns b4/d4/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen h1; rook c8; pawns a7/f7/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3 — queen d2→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc2+ — rook c8→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e2→d3).
3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen h1→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king d3→e4).
4. Best move: Re2 — rook c2→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Rc2+.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p4pp1/8/4R3/1P1P4/6PP/3QKP2/7q w - - 0 31

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