Chess Puzzle #12QYD — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c7/e1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c2; knight c6; pawns a6/g4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rac8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c7→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxc6 (rook c8→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e7→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, equality, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/2R3pp/p1n5/3N4/6p1/8/PPb2PPP/4R1K1 b - - 3 19

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