Chess Puzzle #7WHwh — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook a2; knight d5; pawns b6/c4/d3/e4/f2/g3. Black: king b8; rook f8; knight f3; pawns b7/c7/d6/e5/g6/h3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc7 — knight d5→c7. Opponent replies Kc8 (king b8→c8).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a2→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
4. Best move: Rxf8 — rook a8→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, skewer. The key move is Nc7.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/1pp5/1P1p2p1/3Np3/2P1P3/3P1nPp/R4P2/7K b - - 0 32

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