Chess Puzzle #2LDc8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook a1; knight d2; pawns d3/f5/g4/h2. Black: king c5; rook b5; knight a5; pawns b4/d4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa5 — rook a1→a5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxa5 (rook b5→a5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxb3+ — knight d2→b3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb4 (king c5→b4).
4. Best move: Nxa5 — knight b3→a5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, capturing the defender, crushing, deflection, endgame, fork, long, master, master vs master. The key move Nxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pp/8/nrk2P2/1p1p2P1/3P4/3N3P/R5K1 b - - 0 44

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