Chess Puzzle #8ervu — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d3; rooks a1/h1; bishop f2; knight c2; pawns a3/d4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks e8/f8; bishop d6; knight d5; pawns a5/b7/c6/f4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ne3+ (knight d5→e3, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxe3 — bishop f2→e3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move dxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/1p4pp/2pb1q2/p2n4/3P1p2/P2Q1P2/2N2BPP/R4K1R b - - 7 26

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