Chess Puzzle #kixg3 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks c1/e1; bishops c3/g2; pawns a3/b4/d5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook c8; bishops d3/h6; knight g4; pawns d6/e5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rcd1 — rook c1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen b2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxf2 — knight g4→f2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/1q1p2pb/3Pp3/1P4n1/P1Bb2P1/1Q3PBP/2R1R1K1 w - - 5 27

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