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

Position

White: king d3; rook d7; pawns a4/b3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g7; bishop c5; knight d4; pawns a5/b6/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb3 — knight d4→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kc4 — king d3→c4. Opponent replies Nc1 (knight b3→c1).
3. Best move: Rd2 — rook d7→d2.

Tactical themes

clearance, defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move is Kc4.

Position data

FEN: 8/3R1pk1/1p5p/p1b3p1/P2n2P1/1P1K3P/5P2/8 b - - 2 45

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