Chess Puzzle #9hEBW — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a7/d6; bishop h6; knights c3/g3; pawns d5/e4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks b3/b8; bishops g7/h3; knight f6; pawns c5/e5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1+ — rook b3→b1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb1 — knight c3→b1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb1+ (rook b8→b1, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/R4pbp/3R1npB/2pPp3/4P1q1/1rN3Nb/3Q1PP1/6K1 b - - 1 25

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