Chess Puzzle #17OxR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a3; bishop e3; pawns b4/d4/e5/f2/f3/h2. Black: king a5; knight d3; pawns c4/e6/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb4 — knight d3→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bd2 — bishop e3→d2. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c4→c3).
3. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop d2→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kb5 (king a5→b5).
4. Best move: Bxb4 — bishop c3→b4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Bd2.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/4p1p1/k3P2p/1PpP4/K2nBP2/5P1P/8 b - - 0 38

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