Chess Puzzle #5adSm — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1986 · Advanced · equality, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d6/f1; bishop e4; pawns a3/c4/e2/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen h3; rooks d8/f8; bishop c6; knight a5; pawns a7/b6/c5/d7/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nb3 — knight a5→b3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop e4→c6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nd4 (knight b3→d4).
  3. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d6→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Bxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/p2p2p1/1pbRp3/n1p1P3/2P1BP2/P5Pq/2Q1P2P/5RK1 b - - 6 24

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