Chess Puzzle #8uVVw — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks b1/f2; bishop e3; pawns b2/c3/d4/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks b3/b8; bishop f6; pawns c4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b3→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rfxb2 — rook f2→b2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b8→b2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ra1 — rook b1→a1.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rfxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5ppp/4pb2/3p4/2pP1P2/1rP1B2P/qP3RP1/1R1Q2K1 b - - 8 26

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