Chess Puzzle #BvkvT — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks c1/c5; bishops d4/g2; knight e6; pawns a5/b3/d3/e3/f5/g4/h5. Black: king b8; queen g3; rooks c8/g8; bishop f8; knights d7/e7; pawns a7/b7/d5/f6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc5 — knight d7→c5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc5 — knight e6→c5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c8→c5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen b4→c5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1kr2br1/pp1nn3/4Np1p/P1Rp1PpP/1Q1B2P1/1P1PP1q1/6B1/2R3K1 b - - 0 29

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