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

Position

White: king b2; queen h6; rooks d2/h3; knights e2/g5; pawns a3/b3/c2/d5/f3/h5. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c7/c8; knights a5/f6; pawns a6/b5/d6/e7/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4+ — knight a5→c4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc4+ (pawn b5→c4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc1 — king b2→c1. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c4→c3).
4. Best move: Rd4 — rook d2→d4. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook c8→b8).
5. Best move: Kd1 — king c1→d1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move bxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2r1pp2/pq1p1npQ/np1P2NP/8/PP3P1R/1KPRN3/8 b - - 2 24

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