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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/c5/d4/f2/g2. Black: king h7; queen f6; rooks a8/g6; bishops d7/f4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh4 — queen f6→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxg6+ — bishop c2→g6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg6 (king h7→g6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: g3 — pawn g2→g3.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/pp1b3k/2p1pqrp/2P5/3P1b2/8/PPB1QPP1/R4RK1 b - - 1 23

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