Chess Puzzle #7EIZb — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks b7/c1; bishops f2/g4; knight e6; pawns a4/d4/f5/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c8/e8; bishop c7; knights d5/f7; pawns a5/c6/e4/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd8 — knight f7→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook b7→c7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e6→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1Rbq1np1/2p1Np1p/p2n1P2/P2Pp1BP/1Q6/5BP1/2R3K1 b - - 3 31

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