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

Position

White: king f1; rook a1; knight b5; pawns a5/b4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook b2; knight d7; pawns b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb4 — rook b2→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Rxb5 (rook b4→b5, captures knight).
3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, sacrifice, short. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3n1pp1/1p2p2p/PN1p4/1P6/6P1/1r3P1P/R4K2 b - - 0 36

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