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

Position

White: king g2; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops b2/d3; knights a4/e1; pawns a3/b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishops d7/e7; knights d4/e5; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa4 — bishop d7→a4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop b2→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxb3 (bishop a4→b3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qd2 — queen d1→d2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Bxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pp1bbp2/1q2p3/3pn2p/N2n2p1/PP1B2P1/1B3PKP/R2QN2R b kq - 1 17

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