Chess Puzzle #3JbIG — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d5/e1; knight d6; pawns a2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c8/f7; bishop b2; pawns a7/b6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook f7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc8 — knight d6→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook d7→d5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c8→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long, master. The key move Nxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4r1p/1p1N2p1/3R4/8/6P1/Pb3P1P/4R1K1 b - - 1 25

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