Chess Puzzle #rvCV8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e3; rooks a1/h1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king c8; queen e5; rooks d4/h8; bishop b4; knight e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3+ — bishop b4→c3, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Ra4 (rook d4→a4).
3. Best move: O-O-O — king e1→c1. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen e5→c3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: fxe4 — pawn f3→e4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, castling, long, middlegame. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/ppp2ppp/8/4q3/1b1rn3/2N1QP2/PPP1BP1P/R3K2R b KQ - 1 15

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