Chess Puzzle #54DeB — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/g3; pawns a3/c6/d3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b7/f6; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa1 — bishop f6→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb7 — pawn c6→b7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook a8→b8).
3. Best move: d4 — pawn d3→d4.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move cxb7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pbp2p2/1pP2b2/7p/6pP/P2P2B1/2K2PP1/R4B1R b kq - 0 23

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