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

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks b1/d3; pawns a2/b3/e3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks c8/f8; bishop b4; pawns a6/b5/e6/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rcd8 — rook c8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen d4→b4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qc2 (queen c7→c2).
3. Best move: Rbd1 — rook b1→d1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/2q4p/p3pp2/1p6/1b1Q4/1P1RP3/P5PP/1R4K1 b - - 0 27

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