Chess Puzzle #1AzZ8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rooks a5/e1; bishop e3; pawns b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook e8; bishops d4/e2; knight c3; pawns d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa5 — queen b6→a5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop e3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Ne4 (knight c3→e4).
3. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Bxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5p1p/1q4p1/R2p4/3b4/1Pn1B2P/2Q1bPP1/4R2K b - - 0 35

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