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

Position

White: king f2; queen a6; rook h1; bishops b6/f1; knight d6; pawns a3/c2/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen b1; rooks c7/h8; bishops d7/f8; knights c6/e7; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc8 — bishop d7→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc7+ — bishop b6→c7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king b8→c7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Nb5+ — knight d6→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c7→b8).
4. Best move: Qb6+ — queen a6→b6, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, equality, exposed king, long, middlegame, queenside attack. The key move Bxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k3b1r/2rbnppp/QBnNp3/3pP3/5P2/P7/2P2KPP/1q3B1R b - - 1 17

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