Chess Puzzle #RCm7b — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; rook b7; knight d2; pawns a2/d4/g2/g3. Black: king e6; rook a5; knight b6; pawns a7/e7/f6/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight b6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nb3 — knight d2→b3. Opponent replies Ra3 (rook a5→a3).
3. Best move: Kb2 — king a1→b2. Opponent replies Rxa2+ (rook a3→a2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxa2 — king b2→a2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Nb3.

Position data

FEN: 8/pR2p3/1n2kp2/r5p1/3P4/6P1/P2N2P1/K7 b - - 6 30

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