Chess Puzzle #58jpo — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; bishop a4; pawns a6/b6/c5/g2/g4. Black: king b8; knight d3; pawns c7/d2/f7/g3/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc5 — knight d3→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a7+ — pawn a6→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
3. Best move: bxc7 — pawn b6→c7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxa7 (king a8→a7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: c8=Q — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, long, promotion. The key move is a7+.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/2p2pp1/PP6/2P5/B5P1/3n2p1/3p2P1/7K b - - 0 37

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