Chess Puzzle #NxMu7 — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; knights b1/e5; pawns b2/b3/c6/d4/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h8; bishops e4/f8; knights b8/f6; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxh1 — bishop e4→h1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa7 — rook a1→a7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxc6 (bishop h1→c6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxa8 — rook a7→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, opening, pin, short. The key move Rxa7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn2kb1r/pp2pppp/2P2n2/4N3/3Pb3/1P4P1/1P2PP1P/RNB1KB1R b KQkq - 0 9

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