Chess Puzzle #2W08e — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; knight e5; pawns a5/b4/c3/c5/f3/h3. Black: king e6; bishop c8; pawns a6/c6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bb7 — bishop c8→b7. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c3→c4).
3. Best move: Bxc6+ — bishop b7→c6, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, pin, short. The key move Bxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b5/8/p1p1k2p/P1P1N1p1/1P2K3/2P2P1P/8/8 w - - 1 40

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