Chess Puzzle #1Oc3I — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen e5; rook a1; bishops c1/e2; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c4/e3/g4/h5. Black: king c6; queen f2; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; pawns a7/b5/c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf4 — queen e5→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxc4+ — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen f4→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxd5+ — rook d8→d5, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move bxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1b1r/p4ppp/2k5/1ppNQ2P/2P3P1/3KP3/PP2Bq2/R1B5 w - - 0 25

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