Chess Puzzle #VKehT — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rook c8; pawns b4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d3; rook c3; pawns d4/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook c8→a8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc2 — rook c3→c2. Opponent replies Qa3 (queen b2→a3).
3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
4. Best move: Rc1 — rook c2→c1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rc2.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/5pkp/6p1/8/1P1p4/2rq3P/1Q3PP1/6K1 w - - 0 41

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