Chess Puzzle #HBSq9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rooks a1/d1; bishop g3; knight b5; pawns b2/b3/c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knights b6/d7; pawns a5/b4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight b6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies exd5 (pawn e6→d5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nc7+ — knight b5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
4. Best move: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/3n1ppp/1n2p3/pN2P3/1p6/1P4B1/1PP1KPPP/R2R4 b kq - 1 20

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