Chess Puzzle #C9E9j — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/d1; bishop c4; knight g7; pawns a2/b3/c2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king d7; rooks a8/h8; bishops c6/d6; knight e7; pawns a7/b6/c7/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b6→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Be6+ — bishop c4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king d7→d8).
3. Best move: c4 — pawn c2→c4. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c6→d7).
4. Best move: Bxd7 — bishop e6→d7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king d8→d7, captures bishop).
5. Best move: c5 — pawn c4→c5.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move is Be6+.

Position data

FEN: r6r/p1pkn1Np/1pbb1p2/8/2B1P3/1P3P2/P1P3PP/R2R2K1 b - - 0 19

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