Chess Puzzle #25JXz — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king d4; rook b2; knight d6; pawns b6/e5/f5/h4. Black: king e7; rooks b8/c6; knight c1; pawn h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rbxb6 — rook b8→b6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb6 — rook b2→b6, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb6 (rook c6→b6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nc8+ — knight d6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
4. Best move: Nxb6+ — knight c8→b6, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Nxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/4k3/1PrN3p/4PP2/3K3P/8/1R6/2n5 b - - 2 59

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