Chess Puzzle #318oF — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/f1; knight e5; pawns a2/c3/d7/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook f8; knight e4; pawns c6/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxd7 (rook d8→d7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Nxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3P1p2/2p4p/4N1p1/4n3/2P5/P1q2PPP/3R1RK1 b - - 0 22

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