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

Position

White: king d3; rook c7; pawns b3/b4/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king d5; bishop f7; knight d6; pawns a6/b7/c6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re7 — rook c7→e7. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop f7→e6).
3. Best move: c4+ — pawn c3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc4 (knight d6→c4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: bxc4+ — pawn b3→c4, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move bxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1pR2b1p/p1pn2p1/3k4/1P1P4/1PPK3P/6P1/8 b - - 9 34

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