Chess Puzzle #8cNBU — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks c1/f1; bishop g3; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen g6; rooks d8/g8; bishops e4/f8; knight a5; pawns a7/b6/c7/e7/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop e4→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc7+ — bishop g3→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king b8→b7).
3. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen d1→f3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nc6 (knight a5→c6).
4. Best move: Bxd8 — bishop c7→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, intermezzo, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Bxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1br1/p1p1p3/1p4q1/n6p/3Pb3/5NBP/PP3PP1/2RQ1RK1 b - - 1 22

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