Chess Puzzle #3LsUp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook d3; knight a7; pawns b4/d4/f2/g3/h5. Black: king d7; rook c2; knight c3; pawns b5/d5/e6/f5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc7 — king d7→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3+ — rook d3→c3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc3 (rook c2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxb5+ — knight a7→b5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c7→d7).
4. Best move: Nxc3 — knight b5→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Rxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/N2k1p1p/4p3/1p1p1p1P/1P1P4/2nR2P1/2r2PK1/8 b - - 4 43

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