Chess Puzzle #2LXU8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rooks f1/f2; knight f4; pawns a2/c2/d4/e3/g6. Black: king g8; rooks c6/f8; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h7→g6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxg6 — knight f4→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxc2+ (rook c6→c2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxc2 — king d2→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxf2+ (rook f8→f2, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Nxg6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p2n2pp/1pr1p1P1/3p4/3P1N2/4P3/P1PK1R2/5R2 b - - 0 22

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