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

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks c1/e1; knight g6; pawns d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen d8; rooks c3/e8; bishop b4; knight b2; pawns a6/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook e1→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c3→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qc7+ — queen d8→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen f7→c7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3qr3/5Qpk/p5Np/3p4/1b1P4/2r4P/1n3PP1/2R1R1K1 w - - 7 31

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