Chess Puzzle #4laYN — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook d4; bishop f3; knight c5; pawns c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rook b8; knights c4/f4; pawns a6/b5/e7/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne6 — knight f4→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4 — rook d4→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nd7+ — knight c5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
4. Best move: Nxb8 — knight d7→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r3k2/4pp2/p5pp/1pN5/2nR1n2/5B2/2P2PPP/6K1 b - - 1 31

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