Chess Puzzle #alekn — Advanced, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook d1; bishops d3/f4; knights b5/e5; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c1; rooks c8/f8; bishops b7/d6; knights d7/f6; pawns a6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook d1→c1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1b1n1ppp/p2bpn2/1N1pN3/3P1B2/P2BP2P/1P2QPP1/2qR2K1 w - - 0 17

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