Chess Puzzle #M9UHe — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a7/f1; bishop b5; pawns a2/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks b8/c5; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook a7→a8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb5 — rook c5→b5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxb8+ (rook a8→b8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxb8 — rook b5→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/R4p1p/4p1p1/1BrpP3/Q7/2q4P/P4PP1/5RK1 w - - 0 23

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