Chess Puzzle #1WBPF — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook b1; pawns a4/c3/d4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook e8; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen c2→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook b1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb3 — queen d5→b3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Re1+.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5pp1/p1p4p/1p1q4/P2P4/2P3P1/2Q2P1P/1R4K1 w - - 0 23

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