Chess Puzzle #fhpc4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; knight e2; pawns b4/c3/d4/e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks c8/d8; bishop e7; knight e4; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb4 — bishop e7→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rc2 (rook c8→c2).
3. Best move: Nc3 — knight e2→c3. Opponent replies Nxc3 (knight e4→c3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop b2→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qd3 (queen b5→d3).
5. Best move: Qh4 — queen e1→h4. Opponent replies Qxe3+ (queen d3→e3, captures pawn, gives check).
6. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, very long. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/1p2bppp/p3p3/1q1p4/1P1PnP2/2P1P3/1B2N1PP/R3QRK1 b - - 0 18

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