Chess Puzzle #1HIdg — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; rook c1; bishops a6/e3; pawns b6/e4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king b8; queen e7; rooks d8/e8; knight c6; pawns b7/e5/f6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb4 — knight c6→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen c2→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen e7→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: bxc7+ — pawn b6→c7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The key move bxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1rr3/1p2q1p1/BPn2p2/4p2p/4P2P/4B1P1/2Q2P1K/2R5 b - - 0 31

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