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

Position

White: king c1; queen f7; rooks d7/g6; bishop b3; pawns a2/c4/f4/h3. Black: king h8; queen e2; rooks a8/e8; bishop g7; pawns a5/b4/c5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3+ — queen e2→e3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kb1 — king c1→b1. Opponent replies Qe1+ (queen e3→e1, gives check).
3. Best move: Bd1 — bishop b3→d1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Kb1.

Position data

FEN: r3r2k/3R1Qb1/6Rp/p1p5/1pP2P2/1B5P/P3q3/2K5 b - - 3 30

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