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

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rooks b1/f1; bishops b7/f4; pawns a2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e7; pawns a7/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxb8 — bishop f4→b8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxf1+ (rook f8→f1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxf1 — queen c4→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxb7+ (bishop c8→b7, captures bishop, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxb7 — rook b1→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Bxb8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pB2b1pp/4p3/8/2Q2B2/q5P1/P6P/1R3R1K b - - 0 20

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