Chess Puzzle #C3HC3 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/c1; bishops f3/f4; pawns a4/b4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d8/h8; bishops b6/f5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b4→a5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxa5 (bishop b6→a5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rc5 — rook c1→c5.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move bxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/ppp3p1/1b3p1p/5b2/PP3B2/5B2/5PPP/R1R3K1 b - - 0 20

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