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

Position

White: king f3; rooks c1/d2; knights b1/g5; pawns c3/e4/f2/g2/h6. Black: king e7; rooks b2/c4; bishop d6; knight f6; pawns b4/c7/e5/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb2 — rook d2→b2, captures rook. Opponent replies cxb2 (pawn c3→b2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c1→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p1k2p/3bpnpP/4p1N1/1pr1P3/2P2K2/1r1R1PP1/1NR5 b - - 0 24

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