Chess Puzzle #H2qcb — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen e3; rooks a1/b3; bishop e5; pawns a3/c2/c3/d4/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c4/c8; bishop a4; pawns a7/b7/e4/e6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook b3→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c4→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxg7+ (rook b7→g7, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Opponent replies Bd6+ (bishop e5→d6, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxg7 — king f8→g7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp4pp/4p3/q3BpP1/b1rPp2P/PRP1Q3/2PK1P2/R7 w - - 7 22

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