Chess Puzzle #1Wtwx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rooks b1/c4; knight c6; pawns f2/g3/h4. Black: king h6; rooks a4/b8; knight b4; pawns g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight b4→c6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6+ — rook c4→c6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h6→h7).
3. Best move: Rxb8 — rook b1→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/6p1/2N4k/7p/rnR4P/6PK/5P2/1R6 b - - 3 34

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