Chess Puzzle #R0mxm — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen f3; rook a1; bishop g5; knights b1/h4; pawns a2/b2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/c8; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/c3/c7/d7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh5 — queen f3→h5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: cxb2 — pawn c3→b2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe8+ (queen h5→e8, gives check).
3. Best move: Nf8 — knight e6→f8.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, middlegame, short. The key move cxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b3kr/pppp2pp/4n3/2b1P1B1/7N/2p2Q2/PP4PP/RN3K2 w - - 3 16

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