Chess Puzzle #12FxW — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks a1/d1; bishops b2/d5; pawns a5/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c8/d8; bishop h6; knight e8; pawns a6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen c7→b7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxb7 — bishop d5→b7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd1+ (rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook a1→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxb7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rrn1k1/1Qq2p1p/p5pb/P2BP3/5P2/6P1/1B5P/R2R2K1 b - - 0 25

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