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

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks a1/f1; bishop h6; knight c3; pawns a4/b3/c2/e4/f5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops c8/h4; knight c4; pawns a6/b7/c5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf6 — bishop h4→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bd4+ (bishop f6→d4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move bxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bqr1k1/1p3p1p/p2p2pB/2p2P2/P1n1P2b/1PN4Q/2P3PP/R4RK1 b - - 0 20

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