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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks c1/d1; bishop e2; knights b5/c3; pawns b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g6; rooks c6/c8; bishop b7; knight d8; pawns e5/f5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen d5→e5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c6→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qe8+ (queen e5→e8, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxe8 — queen g6→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rn3k/1b4p1/2r3qp/1N1Qpp2/8/2N1P3/1P2BPPP/2RR2K1 w - - 1 27

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