Chess Puzzle #1r8C9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen f1; rook b7; pawns a2/d4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b2/d5; knight f6; pawns a5/b6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook b2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qb1+ — queen f1→b1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move is Rb8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1R3pp1/1p3n2/p2r3p/3P4/6PK/Pr5P/5Q2 b - - 2 29

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