Chess Puzzle #N3XCv — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks b3/e1; knight f2; pawns b4/c5/e3/f4/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook b5; bishop c3; knight d5; pawns c6/e4/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook b3→c3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb4 — rook b5→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen c4→e2).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2q2pp1/2p4p/1rPn4/1PQ1pP2/1Rb1P1PP/5N2/4R1K1 w - - 2 34

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