Chess Puzzle #dc4SJ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks d1/f1; bishops c2/g5; knights b5/h3; pawns a4/b3/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks a8/f7; bishops b7/d6; knights c5/h5; pawns a5/b6/c7/d7/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Raf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d1→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies cxd6 (pawn c7→d6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nc7 — knight b5→c7.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Rxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1bpp1r1p/1p1bq1p1/pNn1p1Bn/P6Q/1P5N/2B2PP1/3R1RK1 b - - 5 23

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