Chess Puzzle #41gQs — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks a1/e1; bishop b3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks c8/f8; bishop f5; pawns e5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook a1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen h6→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1Q3p1p/6pq/4pb2/8/1B6/PP4PP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 22

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