Chess Puzzle #9e6Ni — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g2; rook a6; knight f3; pawns a2/d4/f2/g6. Black: king f5; queen c3; pawns a3/c6/d5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg6 — king f5→g6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6+ — rook a6→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen c3→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne5+ — knight f3→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king g6→f5).
4. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Rxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/R1p3P1/3p1k2/3P4/p1q2N2/P4PK1/8 b - - 0 43

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