Chess Puzzle #0MEFV — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks d1/d5; bishop c1; knight b3; pawns a4/c2/e4/h4. Black: king h7; rooks b4/c8; bishop b2; pawns a5/c3/e5/f6/f7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook b4→b3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb3 — pawn c2→b3, captures rook. Opponent replies c2+ (pawn c3→c2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxb2 — king b1→b2, captures bishop. Opponent replies cxd1=N+ (pawn c2→d1, captures rook, promotes to knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook d5→d1, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, long. The key move cxb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/5p1k/5p1p/p2Rp3/Pr2P2P/1Np5/1bP5/1KBR4 b - - 4 34

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