Chess Puzzle #3I2kM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rooks a1/a4; bishop g2; knight h3; pawns b4/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; knight c7; pawns b6/e4/e6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb4 — queen e7→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb4 — rook a4→b4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxa1+ (rook a8→a1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Ng1 — knight h3→g1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1bn1q1p1/1p2p2p/4P3/RP2pPQ1/6PN/6BP/R6K b - - 2 23

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