Chess Puzzle #04l33 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rooks a1/f1; bishop f4; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishops c5/c8; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd7 — bishop c8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop f4→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen c7→c8).
3. Best move: Nd4 — knight e2→d4. Opponent replies Bxd4 (bishop c5→d4, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d5→d4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Bxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/ppq2ppp/8/2bQn3/5B2/2N3P1/PP2N2P/R4R1K b - - 2 19

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