Chess Puzzle #1YABf — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks a1/f4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/g2/h4. Black: king d8; queen d7; rooks a8/h8; bishop g7; knights f6/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne8 — knight f6→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd1 — rook a1→d1. Opponent replies Qxd1+ (queen d7→d1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxd1 — knight c3→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Rd1.

Position data

FEN: r2k2nr/pppq2b1/5nQp/4P3/5R1P/2N5/PPP3P1/R5K1 b - - 0 17

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