Chess Puzzle #CNjSp — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks b7/e1; knight f6; pawns b4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g7; rooks a3/c8; knight d4; pawns b5/e3/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c8→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf1 — rook e1→f1. Opponent replies Raa2 (rook a3→a2).
3. Best move: Nh5+ — knight f6→h5, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, quiet move, short. The key move is Rf1.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/1R3pk1/4pNpp/1p2P3/1P1n4/r3p2P/6PK/4R3 b - - 9 35

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