Chess Puzzle #17KA9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook a1; knight e3; pawns e5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king h7; rook d3; bishop d5; pawns c2/c6/e6/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook d3→d1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd1 — knight e3→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies cxd1=Q (pawn c2→d1, captures knight, promotes to queen).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook a1→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move Nxd1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pk/2p1p3/3bP1p1/6P1/3rN2P/2p2P1K/R7 b - - 1 44

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