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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/d7; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/f3/h3. Black: king g7; rook a8; bishops e2/e7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d7→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxe2 — knight g3→e2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r7/pppRb1k1/2n3pp/4p3/8/2P1PPNP/PP2b3/R5K1 b - - 2 23

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