Chess Puzzle #4htfX — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; knights d2/d4; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king b8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; bishops d7/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6+ — knight d4→c6, captures knight, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop d7→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen a4→c6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Bxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1b1r/pppbq3/2np3p/5p2/Q2N4/2PBP1P1/PP1N1P1P/R3K2R w KQ - 3 14

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