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

Position

White: king b1; queen c1; rooks a1/d2; knight a4; pawn a2. Black: king g7; queen e2; rook e8; knight a5; pawns a7/b3/c6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa2+ — pawn b3→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Raxa2 — rook a1→a2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe4+ (queen e2→e4, gives check).
3. Best move: Qc2 — queen c1→c2.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Raxa2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/p4pk1/2p3pp/n7/N7/1p6/P2Rq3/RKQ5 b - - 1 33

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