Chess Puzzle #9Nqez — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook c4; bishop e3; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king b8; rook h8; bishop d6; knight e7; pawns a6/b7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook h8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bb6 — bishop e3→b6. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook d8→c8).
3. Best move: Nxd6 — knight e4→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook c8→c4, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxc4 — knight d6→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Bb6.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/1p2nppp/p2b4/4p3/2R1N3/4BP2/PP3P1P/7K b - - 1 23

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