Chess Puzzle #17s9t — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook a7; bishop b5; knight d6; pawns a3/b4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rook c7; knights b8/d8; pawns e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook c7→a7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc8+ — knight d6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e7→f6).
3. Best move: Nxa7 — knight c8→a7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc8+.

Position data

FEN: 1n1n4/R1r1k2p/3Np1p1/1B6/1P3P2/P7/6PP/6K1 b - - 0 33

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