Chess Puzzle #5NJIo — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen h5; rook h3; pawns b2/c3/e5/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen f1; rooks a8/f8; pawns a5/d5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4+ — queen f1→c4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Opponent replies Qe2+ (queen c4→e2, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxe2 — queen h5→e2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is b3.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5pp1/4p3/p2pP2Q/5P2/2P4R/KP4P1/5q2 b - - 3 30

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