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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks b1/f1; bishops c1/e2; pawns a3/c4/e4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop a6; knight b6; pawns a7/c5/c7/d6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop a6→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc4+ — bishop e2→c4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc4 (knight b6→c4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen b3→c4, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p1p3p1/bn1p1q1p/2p5/2P1PP2/PQ6/4B1PP/1RB2RK1 b - - 3 20

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