Chess Puzzle #E7YhZ — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b1; rook a1; knight b5; pawns a7/c5/d4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks a8/c6; pawns e6/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight b5→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c6→c7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qb8+ (queen b1→b8, gives check).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook c7→c8.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, short. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/P5p1/2r1p2p/1NP2p2/3P1P2/8/4q1PP/RQ5K w - - 2 35

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