Chess Puzzle #3cE4m — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/g3; knight d4; pawns a3/e4/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks c5/c8; knight c4; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa3 — knight c4→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc5 (rook c8→c5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxa3 — rook g3→a3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, intermezzo, short. The key move Rxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5pp1/p3p3/1pr4p/2nNPP2/P5RP/6P1/2R3K1 b - - 0 29

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