Chess Puzzle #X97IY — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d1/e3; bishop e4; knight d4; pawns a3/b3/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c5/e8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/c3/d6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook e3→c3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c5→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen c2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1b3pp1/p2p1q1p/1prP4/3NB3/PPp1R2P/2Q2PP1/3R2K1 w - - 3 27

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