Chess Puzzle #9rg7J — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; rook a1; knight f3; pawns b3/b5/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook a8; knight b4; pawns c4/d5/e6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c3+ — pawn c4→c3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxc3 — king b2→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook a8→a1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kxb4 — king c3→b4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move Kxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/6pp/4pp2/1P1p4/1npP4/1P3N2/1K3PPP/R7 b - - 0 24

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