Chess Puzzle #Vqefu — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a1; rooks b4/h1; knight c2; pawns c3/e4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks b2/b8; bishop h6; pawns d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: R8xb4 — rook b8→b4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb4 — knight c2→b4, captures rook. Opponent replies Bd2+ (bishop h6→d2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf1 — king e1→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5ppp/3pq2b/4p3/1R2P2P/2P3P1/1rN2P2/Q3K2R b K - 3 22

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