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

Position

White: king e3; rooks a6/f5; knight a5; pawns b4/d4/g4. Black: king e7; rooks c7/c8; knight d7; pawns c4/c6/d5/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook c8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight a5→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc6 (rook c7→c6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxc6 — rook a6→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Nxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/2rnk3/R1p5/N2p1Rp1/1PpP2P1/4K3/8/8 b - - 1 36

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