Chess Puzzle #5Pxcy — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a3; rooks d1/h1; knight g5; pawns b2/b5/c2/f3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/c8; knight b4; pawns a4/d5/e6/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c3 — pawn c2→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3+ — rook c8→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen a3→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Na2+ — knight b4→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
4. Best move: Nxc3 — knight a2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/6pp/3qp3/1P1p1pN1/pn3P1P/Q4PP1/1PP5/2KR3R w - - 2 27

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