Chess Puzzle #5siMq — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook f1; bishop c1; knights c3/c5; pawns d3/e3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook a8; bishop g7; knight c4; pawns b4/b5/e5/f6/g6/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc4 — pawn d3→c4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c4→b5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen c6→c5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/6b1/2q2pp1/1pN1p2p/1pn4P/2NPP3/4QPP1/2B2RK1 w - - 0 25

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