Chess Puzzle #2oP2T — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks d8/e1; knight a7; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook a8; knight f6; pawns a6/e6/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook a8→d8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6 — knight a7→c6. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen a5→d2).
3. Best move: Nxd8 — knight c6→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc6.

Position data

FEN: r2R2k1/N4p2/p3pn1p/q5p1/8/P5P1/1P2QPP1/4R1K1 b - - 0 27

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