Chess Puzzle #D7ByL — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishop d2; knights f3/f5; pawns b2/b4/c3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d7/d8; bishop c5; knights c6/f6; pawns a5/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook d7→d2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxf2+ (bishop c5→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf2 — king g1→f2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1ppr1pp1/2n2n1p/p1b1pN2/1P2P3/2P2N1P/1P1B1PP1/R3R1K1 b - - 0 19

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