Chess Puzzle #EXr2t — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen f3; rooks c1/h1; bishop b2; knight g6; pawns a2/b3/d2/e3/g2/g3/h5. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/f8; knights d3/e4; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb2 — knight d3→b2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c1→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen d8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight g6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, equality, fork, long, master, middlegame. The key move Rxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rq1rk1/pp4p1/4ppNp/3p3P/4n3/1P1nPQP1/PB1PK1P1/2R4R b - - 3 19

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