Chess Puzzle #x1xce — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c5; bishop b4; pawns a3/c3/g3/h4. Black: king d2; bishop c6; pawns a4/b5/d5/f5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be8 — bishop c6→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c4+ — pawn c3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d2→e2).
3. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxb5 (bishop e8→b5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Kxb5 — king c5→b5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

bishop endgame, crushing, discovered attack, endgame, long. The key move is c4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2b3p1/1pKp1p2/pB5P/P1P3P1/3k4/8 b - - 5 51

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