Chess Puzzle #jlA45 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook a6; bishop e5; knight a7; pawns b7/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/g2; bishop h3; pawns d3/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6 — knight a7→c6. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
3. Best move: Ra8 — rook a6→a8.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, endgame, quiet move, short. The key move is Nc6.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/NP3p1p/R3p1p1/4B3/8/3p2Pb/6rP/7K b - - 0 28

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