Chess Puzzle #3XRPt — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e4; rooks b5/h1; bishop b2; knight f3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/f8; bishops b4/e6; pawns a7/b7/c5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb7 — rook b5→b7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxb7 (queen e7→b7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb7 — queen e4→b7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp2q1pp/4bp2/1Rp5/1b2Q3/5N2/PB3PPP/2K4R b - - 1 17

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