Chess Puzzle #t1O4C — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen f2; rook b1; bishops f1/f4; pawns a5/c2/c3/g2. Black: king c8; queen f5; rooks e8/h8; knight e5; pawns a7/b6/c6/d5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4+ — knight e5→c4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc4 — bishop f1→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies dxc4 (pawn d5→c4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: axb6 — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxb6 — rook b1→b6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move Bxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r2r/p6p/1pp5/P2pnq2/5B2/2P5/2PK1QP1/1R3B2 b - - 0 24

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