Chess Puzzle #2PwYb — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e2; rooks d1/h1; bishops d3/f4; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/h2. Black: king e8; queen h3; rooks c8/h8; bishop d7; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb5 — bishop d7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxb5+ — bishop d3→b5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxb5+ — queen e2→b5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Bxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/1p1b1ppp/p3pn2/8/3P1B2/3B3q/PP2QP1P/1K1R3R b k - 2 17

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