Chess Puzzle #MbUAJ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queen f4; rooks b1/g5; pawns a2/b4/c4/d3/f2/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks e5/e8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa3+ — queen a5→a3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb3 — rook b1→b3. Opponent replies Qxa2 (queen a3→a2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxe5 — rook g5→e5, captures rook. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen a2→a1, gives check).
4. Best move: Rb2 — rook b3→b2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rb3.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppp2p1p/6p1/q3r1R1/1PP2Q1P/2KP4/P4P2/1R6 b - - 0 24

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