Chess Puzzle #04eQo — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; bishop h3; pawns a2/b4/c4/e6/f3/g3/h4. Black: king d6; rook e7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c5+ — pawn c4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b6→c5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: bxc5+ — pawn b4→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king d6→c5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxe5 — king e4→e5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move bxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp2r1p1/2pkP1p1/4p3/1PP1K2P/5PPB/P7/8 b - - 0 31

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