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

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rooks d1/f8; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/b3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king c7; queen e5; rooks a8/h5; bishop c8; pawns a6/b5/d7/e6/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8+ — rook f8→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook a8→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd7+ (queen d3→d7, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb8 — king c7→b8.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2R2/2kp4/p3p3/1p2q2r/4P1p1/1PNQ3P/PP4P1/3R3K w - - 0 25

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