Chess Puzzle #23Waj — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook c2; knight d4; pawns b2/e4/g2/h3. Black: king e6; rook d8; bishop b5; pawns a5/b4/c6/e7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke5 — king e6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c2→c6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxc6 (bishop b5→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight d4→c6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e5→d6).
4. Best move: Nxd8 — knight c6→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/4p3/2p1k1p1/pb6/1p1NP3/4K2P/1PR3P1/8 b - - 5 36

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