Chess Puzzle #GT4X1 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/c7; bishop d3; knight b1; pawns a2/b3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks b8/c8; bishop b7; knight f6; pawns a7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook c7→b7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen d2→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb7 — rook b8→b7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rr3k1/pbR2ppp/5n2/3pq3/8/1P1B1P2/P2Q2PP/1NR3K1 w - - 5 21

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