Chess Puzzle #22hrE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rooks f1/f2; bishop c4; pawns c2/c3/e4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king c7; rooks d6/f8; bishop c6; pawns a4/b5/e5/e6/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f4→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook f8→b8).
3. Best move: exd6+ — pawn e5→d6, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move exd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/2k5/2brp3/1p2p1pp/p1B1PP2/2P1K1P1/2P2R1P/5R2 b - - 0 37

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