Chess Puzzle #39Xgh — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d4; bishop d3; pawns a5/b3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king g8; bishop e7; knight c3; pawns b4/f6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop e7→d8).
3. Best move: Kc5 — king d4→c5. Opponent replies Bb6+ (bishop d8→b6, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxb6 — king c5→b6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4bp2/5p1p/P7/1p1K1P1P/1PnB2P1/8/8 b - - 0 41

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