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

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook b1; bishop e5; pawns a3/c2/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook a5; bishop c5; pawns a4/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf2 — bishop c5→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook b1→b8. Opponent replies Qxb8 (queen d8→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxb8 — bishop e5→b8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxh5+ (rook a5→h5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Bh2 — bishop b8→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Rb8.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/5pp1/7p/r1b1B2P/p3Q3/P7/2P2PP1/1R5K b - - 0 27

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