Chess Puzzle #4r4MH — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks a1/e1; bishops c3/e2; knights d2/f3; pawns b4/d3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops d7/e7; knights c6/f6; pawns c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa1 — rook a8→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1 — queen b2→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Bb2 — bishop c3→b2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qr1k1/3bbppp/2n2n2/2p5/1P1P4/2BP1N2/1Q1NBPPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 18

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