Chess Puzzle #5EA3L — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rook c1; knight c6; pawns b5/f5/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b6/b8; knight f8; pawns f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook b8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c1→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, fork, pin, short. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 1r3nk1/5ppp/1rN5/1P3P2/8/6K1/7P/2R5 b - - 4 37

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