Chess Puzzle #9Pdxa — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/e1; bishop g2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f5/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/e8; bishop h7; knight d8; pawns a5/b6/d5/e6/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e6→f5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd5+ — bishop g2→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen c6→d5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rce1 — rook c1→e1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Bxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2nr1k1/6pb/1pq1pp1p/p2p1P2/3P2P1/2P4P/PP1Q2B1/2R1R1K1 b - - 6 29

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