Chess Puzzle #aitl3 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e8; bishops d2/g2; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b4/c2/d3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen c7; rook d8; bishops g4/g7; knight c5; pawns a7/b7/d6/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8+ — rook e8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8 — queen c7→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b4→c5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop g7→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2krR3/ppq2pb1/3p3p/2n3p1/1P1N2b1/2NP2P1/P1PB1PBP/R5K1 w - - 1 22

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