Chess Puzzle #M8vI7 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks c1/f3; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/e3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks c8/d8; bishop e4; pawns a6/b5/d5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight c3→e4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f3→f1).
3. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook c1→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g1→f1, captures rook).
4. Best move: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/5pp1/p2q3p/1p1p4/3QbP2/2N1PR1P/PP2B1P1/2R3K1 w - - 3 24

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