Chess Puzzle #30iRE — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook b5; pawns a2/b4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d8; rook e7; bishop e4; pawns a7/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook e7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook b5→b8. Opponent replies Qxb8 (queen d8→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen g3→b8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, short. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3q3k/p3r1p1/7p/1R3p2/1P2b3/6QP/P4PP1/6K1 b - - 10 39

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