Chess Puzzle #2IHCq — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d1; rook h1; bishop d2; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/c3/f2/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook e8; bishop f6; knight a4; pawns a6/c4/d5/d7/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3+ — knight a4→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop d2→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxc3 (bishop f6→c3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/3p3p/p4bpP/q2p1p2/n1p5/P1P2N2/1P1B1PP1/1K1Q3R b - - 3 27

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