Chess Puzzle #SCZC0 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g1; rook a2; bishop d3; knight e2; pawns a3/b4/d5/e4/f3/h4. Black: king g8; queen b8; rook c7; knight h5; pawns a6/b5/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook a2→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c7→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop d3→c2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qc8 — queen b8→c8.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1q4k1/2r1pp1p/p2p2p1/1p1P3n/1P2P2P/P2B1P2/R3N3/6QK w - - 1 35

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