Chess Puzzle #2TMl8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/a2; knight d2; pawns e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b6; rooks a7/b4; knight b5; pawns a3/c6/e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook b4→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight d2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b6→c7).
3. Best move: Nxb2 — knight c4→b2, captures rook. Opponent replies axb2 (pawn a3→b2, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxa7+ — rook a2→a7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/r5pp/1kp2p2/1n2p3/1r6/p3P2P/R2N1PP1/R5K1 b - - 11 40

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