Chess Puzzle #349bI — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e2; rook c1; bishops a1/g2; pawns a2/b3/f4/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook f8; bishops f2/f7; pawns a7/b7/d5/e4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb2 — queen e2→b2. Opponent replies Bxg3+ (bishop f2→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxg3 — king h2→g3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Qb2.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp3b1p/1q4p1/3p4/4pP2/1P4PP/P3QbBK/B1R5 b - - 0 26

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