Chess Puzzle #eMO1j — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b3; rooks c1/d1; bishop g2; knights c4/e4; pawns a2/b2/e2/f2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks c8/d8; bishop e7; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/d4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c8→c4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c1→c4, captures rook. Opponent replies Ne3+ (knight g4→e3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king f1→g1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/pp2bppp/8/8/2NpNqn1/1Q6/PP2PPB1/2RR1K2 b - - 5 21

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