Chess Puzzle #C1pIZ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; knight e8; pawns a4/b5/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook a3; bishop b6; knight f6; pawns a5/b7/d3/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa1 — rook a3→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight e8→f6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d8→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxa1 — rook f1→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3qN1k1/1p3pp1/1b3n1p/pP2p3/P3P3/r2p3P/3Q1PP1/R4RK1 b - - 0 25

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