Chess Puzzle #3s5h0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop d2; knight f3; pawns a3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b3; rooks b8/c2; knight f5; pawns c5/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rab1 — rook a1→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb1 — queen b3→b1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb1 (rook f1→b1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook b8→b1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/4pp1p/3p2p1/2p2n2/8/Pq3N2/2rBQPPP/R4R1K w - - 2 27

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