Chess Puzzle #LbjIG — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/d4; bishop e2; knight c4; pawns a3/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c8/d8; bishop d5; knight b2; pawns a7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e3→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxc4 — bishop d5→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd8+ (rook d4→d8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxd8 — rook c8→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxc4 (bishop e2→c4, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Rc8 — rook d8→c8.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Bxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/p4ppp/4p3/3b4/2NR4/P3P2P/1n2BPP1/2R3K1 w - - 1 23

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