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

Position

White: king a2; queen d5; rook b2; bishop c1; pawns a4/b5/c2/d3/e4. Black: king b8; queen e2; rooks b7/c7; bishop e1; pawns a7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc3 — bishop e1→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
3. Best move: Bf4+ — bishop c1→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Be5 (bishop c3→e5).
4. Best move: Bxe5+ — bishop f4→e5, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Bxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/prr3pp/8/1P1Q4/P3P3/3P4/KRP1q3/2B1b3 b - - 2 36

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