Chess Puzzle #5J9L7 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/f6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d5/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b6/g4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd8 — bishop f6→d8, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxg2 (bishop f3→g2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rg1 — rook h1→g1. Opponent replies Raxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Rxg2 — rook g1→g2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Bxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/ppp2ppp/1b3B2/3Pp3/2B1P1b1/2N2Q2/PP3PPP/R3K2R b KQ - 0 12

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