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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks c1/d1; bishop d4; knight g5; pawns a2/b3/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop d6; knights a4/f6; pawns a6/b5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight a4→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc5 — bishop d4→c5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook a8→c8).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Bxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/5p1p/p2b1np1/1p1P2N1/n2B4/1P6/P1Q2PPP/2RR2K1 b - - 0 22

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