Chess Puzzle #2BNTV — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishop b2; knight e4; pawns a4/b5/d3/e2/f3. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks b8/g6; bishops c7/f5; pawns a5/b6/c5/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd8 — bishop c7→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc1 — bishop b2→c1. Opponent replies Qh4+ (queen f4→h4, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxh4 — rook h1→h4, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxh4+ (bishop d8→h4, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke3 — king f2→e3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, master, master vs master, middlegame, trapped piece. The key move is Bc1.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2b3p1/1p4rp/pPp1pb2/P3Nq2/3P1P2/1BQ1PK2/R6R b - - 7 38

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