Chess Puzzle #21w3f — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c3; rooks f1/f2; pawns a5/b2/c2/d5/h3. Black: king a7; queen g5; rooks a8/g8; pawns b6/b7/c7/d6/e4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb6+ — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king a7→b6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qb4+ — queen c3→b4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, short. The key move axb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/kpp5/1p1p4/P2P2q1/4p3/2Q4P/1PP2R1K/5R2 b - - 0 32

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