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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishop d2; knights c3/g5; pawns c2/d3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks b2/f8; bishops a2/g7; knight f6; pawns a6/c5/c6/d6/e5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook b2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa2 — rook a1→a2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxa2 (rook c2→a2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxa2 — knight c3→a2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5pbp/p1pp1np1/2p1p1N1/4P3/2NP3P/brPB1PP1/R3R1K1 b - - 1 17

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