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

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rooks a1/f7; bishop f4; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/g5/h2. Black: king b6; queen d4; rooks a8/h8; bishops b5/c5; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop b5→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxc7+ (bishop f4→c7, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka7 — king b6→a7. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen e6→c6, captures bishop).
4. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Be5+ (bishop c7→e5, gives check).
5. Best move: Kb6 — king a7→b6. Opponent replies Bxd4 (bishop e5→d4, captures queen).
6. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop c5→d4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, very long. The key move Bxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r6r/1pp2R2/pkn1Q2p/1bb1N1P1/3q1B2/8/PPP3PP/R6K w - - 1 22

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