Chess Puzzle #9LwoZ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; bishop d2; knight b3; pawns a5/b6/f4/g3. Black: king d5; rook a8; bishop g7; pawns d4/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf8 — bishop g7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook a8→b8).
3. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Rxb7 (rook b8→b7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: axb7 — pawn a6→b7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is b7.

Position data

FEN: r7/6b1/1P4p1/P2k1p1p/3p1P2/1N1K2P1/3B4/8 b - - 0 45

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