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

Position

White: king b1; queen b7; rooks d1/h1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/e5/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks a8/c8; pawns b5/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh6 — pawn g5→h6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen e2→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Rcb8 — rook c8→b8.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qc2+.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/1Q3pp1/4p2p/1p1pP1P1/7P/1P6/PB2qP2/1K1R3R w - - 3 29

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