Chess Puzzle #1SHVy — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/e1; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e5; pawns a7/b7/c5/f5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop e5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bd5 — bishop f3→d5. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen f7→d5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: cxd5 — pawn c4→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Bd5.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp3q2/7p/2p1bpp1/2P5/3P1B2/PP1Q1PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 3 17

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