Chess Puzzle #6e8pX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; knight e7; pawns a4/b5/c4/f4/h4. Black: king b6; bishop c2; knight d4; pawns a5/c7/d6/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c7→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b5→c6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nf5 (knight d4→f5).
3. Best move: Nd5+ — knight e7→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king b6→c6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxc2 — king c3→c2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

en passant, endgame, equality, long. The key move bxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p1N3/1k1p2p1/pP6/P1Pn1P1P/2K5/2b5/8 b - - 1 39

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