Chess Puzzle #joK1C — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook f1; bishops c1/d5; knight e2; pawns a4/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a1; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight c6; pawns a5/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc5 — bishop f8→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc6+ — bishop d5→c6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qc2 — queen d1→c2.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Bxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/1p3p1p/2n1p1p1/p1PB4/P7/8/4NPPP/q1BQ1RK1 b kq - 0 18

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