Chess Puzzle #36emn — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h5; rooks a1/h1; bishop g7; knights c3/g1; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks a8/g8; bishops b5/e7; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg7 — rook g8→g7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb5+ — queen h5→b5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb5 (queen a5→b5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxb5 — knight c3→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn2k1r1/pp2bpBp/4p3/qb5Q/3P4/2N5/PP3PPP/R3K1NR b KQq - 4 12

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