Chess Puzzle #hAF30 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g1; rook d1; bishop c5; knight f5; pawns a3/b4/c3/g2/h2. Black: king b7; queen d8; rook h8; bishops b6/c6; knight h5; pawns a6/b5/f6/g4/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc5 — bishop b6→c5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d1→d8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook h8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nf4 (knight h5→f4).
4. Best move: Qe1 — queen g1→e1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, intermezzo, long, master, middlegame. The key move Rxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3q3r/1k5p/pbb2p2/1pB2N1n/1P4p1/P1P5/6PP/3R2QK b - - 1 37

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