Chess Puzzle #MJQt6 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d5; rooks d1/h1; bishops c5/e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/g6/h5. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks d8/f8; bishop f6; knight e8; pawns a6/b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen d5→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Opponent replies Qb4 (queen c4→b4).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook d8→c8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move is b5.

Position data

FEN: 3rnr1k/1pq3p1/p4bPp/2BQ3P/5P2/8/PPP1B3/2KR3R w - - 1 24

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