Chess Puzzle #R6SKm — Master, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks a1/f1; bishops e3/g2; knight e2; pawns a5/b6/c2/d3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen d6; rooks d8/h8; bishops f8/g4; knights e5/f6; pawns b7/c5/e6/f7/g7/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe2 — bishop g4→e2, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Nf3+ (knight e5→f3, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxf3 — bishop g2→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxf3 (bishop e2→f3, captures bishop).
4. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1b1r/1p3pp1/1P1qpn2/PQp1n3/6bp/3PB1P1/2P1NPBP/R4RK1 b - - 0 18

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