Chess Puzzle #2b8z9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks b1/f2; bishop a5; knight g6; pawns b3/c4/d3/g4. Black: king c8; rooks b7/b8; bishop d7; knight f5; pawns c5/c6/d6/e5/f6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook b7→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: gxf5 — pawn g4→f5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1rk5/1r1b4/2pp1pN1/B1p1pn2/2P3P1/1P1P4/5R1K/1R6 b - - 0 30

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