Chess Puzzle #23FG8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook c1; knight e2; pawns b5/f4/g5. Black: king b4; rook c4; bishop g7; pawns b6/c3/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb3 — king b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook c1→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b3→a2).
3. Best move: Kxc4 — king d3→c4, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxb1 (king a2→b1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxc3+ — knight e2→c3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Nxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pb1/1p4p1/1P4P1/1kr2P2/2pK4/4N3/2R5 b - - 8 42

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