Chess Puzzle #4OvHh — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a6; rooks b1/f1; knight e6; pawns a3/b2/c4/d5/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks b8/f7; bishop e5; pawns f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa5 — queen a6→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb2 — rook b8→b2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qa8+ (queen a5→a8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5rp1/Q3Np1p/3Pb3/2P1P3/P6P/1P2q1P1/1R3R1K w - - 1 31

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