Chess Puzzle #533nw — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d6; rooks d1/h1; bishop e2; knights b6/c7; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a7/f8; bishop c8; knights a5/e5; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc8 — knight b6→c8, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook f8→c8, captures knight. Opponent replies Nd5 (knight c7→d5).
3. Best move: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d6→f6, captures queen).
4. Best move: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2b2rk1/r1N2ppp/pN1Qpq2/np2n3/4P3/5P2/PPP1B1PP/2KR3R w - - 2 17

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