Chess Puzzle #1EXO2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; rooks a1/h1; knights b1/g1; pawns d5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks d6/h8; bishop c5; pawns a5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa5 — rook a1→a5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop c5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e1→f2).
3. Best move: Bxa5 — bishop b4→a5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Bb4+.

Position data

FEN: 4k2r/5ppp/3r4/p1bP4/8/5P2/6PP/RN2K1NR w KQk - 1 20

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