Chess Puzzle #8kCvt — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e2; rooks d1/g2; knights c3/f3; pawns c2/e4/f2/g5/h6. Black: king c8; queen a3; rooks d8/h8; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd1 — knight c3→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qb4+ (queen a3→b4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc1 — king b1→c1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pp3p1p/1np3pP/4p1P1/4P3/q1N2N2/2P1QPR1/1K1R4 b - - 3 22

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