Chess Puzzle #11AZg — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c4; rook a7; bishop g2; pawns b2/b5/c5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king c7; rook b8; bishop b7; knight e7; pawns d4/d7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc8 — knight e7→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b6+ — pawn b5→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Nxb6+ (knight c8→b6, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: cxb6+ — pawn c5→b6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king c7→b6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxb7+ — rook a7→b7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb7 (rook b8→b7, captures rook).
5. Best move: Bxb7 — bishop g2→b7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, pin, very long. The key move cxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/Rbkpnppp/8/1PP5/2Kp1P2/6P1/1P4BP/8 b - - 2 30

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