Chess Puzzle #0gmKZ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/d2; knight d6; pawns a3/c2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c3/c8; knight b6; pawns a6/b5/e4/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c3→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc8 — knight d6→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook c2→d2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxb6 — knight c8→b6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move Nxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/pn1N2p1/1p6/4p3/P1r1P3/2PR1PPP/R5K1 b - - 3 26

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