Chess Puzzle #DIDRD — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a6/f3; knight c3; pawns b5/d4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king h7; queen c7; rooks b6/b7; knights c4/d6; pawns f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb5 — knight d6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb6 — rook a6→b6, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxb6 (knight c4→b6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb5 — queen d5→b5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1rq2p1k/Rr1n2p1/1P1Q3p/2nP3P/2N2RP1/5P2/6K1 b - - 4 36

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