Chess Puzzle #NCI8M — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks d6/h1; knight c3; pawns b2/b3/c2/e4/f4. Black: king g7; queen e3; rook c8; knight f3; pawns a7/b7/f6/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf4 — queen e3→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d6→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king g7→g8).
3. Best move: Nd5 — knight c3→d5.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move is Rd7+.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/pp4k1/3R1pp1/8/4PP2/1PN1qn2/1PP5/1K5R b - - 2 27

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