Chess Puzzle #TuH51 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks a8/d8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3+ — bishop g7→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc3+ (queen c4→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf2 — king e1→f2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/pp2ppbp/6p1/8/2q5/2P1BP2/PP2Q1PP/R3K2R b KQ - 1 16

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