Chess Puzzle #1OgxS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen f3; rooks b1/g3; bishop e4; pawns a4/b3/c4/d5/f2/f5/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks b4/b8; knight h6; pawns a5/c5/c7/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook b4→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb3 — rook b1→b3, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb3 (rook b8→b3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb3 — queen f3→b3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2p2ppp/3p3n/p1pPpP1P/PrP1B2q/1P3QR1/4KPP1/1R6 b - - 8 23

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