Chess Puzzle #02yQt — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks c1/d2; knights d4/e5; pawns a3/b3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rooks c7/c8; knights c3/f6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nce4 — knight c3→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook c1→c7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ndc6+ — knight d4→c6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/2r1kppp/p3pn2/1p2N3/3N4/PPn1P3/3R1PPP/2R2K2 b - - 0 24

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