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

Position

White: king h1; rooks f1/f8; knight e6; pawns a4/c3/h3. Black: king c8; rooks c2/d2; knight c6; pawns a5/b7/c7/e5/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king c8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d7→d6).
3. Best move: Ne4+ — knight c5→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king d6→d5).
4. Best move: Nxd2 — knight e4→d2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, long. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 2k2R2/1pp5/2n1N3/p3p2p/P7/2P4P/2rr4/5R1K b - - 7 28

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