Chess Puzzle #dMuSS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f3; rook d5; bishops c2/e1; pawns a3/f5/g5/h4. Black: king h8; queen a4; rook c8; knights b3/c4; pawns a7/b6/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook c8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb3 — queen f3→b3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxe1+ (rook e8→e1, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka2 — king b1→a2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p5pp/1p1p4/3R1PP1/q1n4P/Pn3Q2/2B5/1K2B3 b - - 2 36

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