Chess Puzzle #5pqjQ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen h6; rooks d1/h1; bishop f1; knight g1; pawns a2/c2/e4/e5/f3. Black: king f7; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight f6; pawns a7/b2/c6/d6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe5 — pawn d6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc4+ — bishop f1→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop c8→e6).
3. Best move: Bxe6+ — bishop c4→e6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r2/p4k1p/2pp1npQ/q3P3/4P3/5P2/PpP5/1K1R1BNR b - - 0 18

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