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

Position

White: king c1; queen c3; rooks d1/h1; bishops f1/g3; knights e2/f3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c8/e8; bishop b6; knights b4/f6; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3+ — rook c8→c3, captures queen, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen d8→c8).
3. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rqr1k1/1p3pp1/pb3n1p/8/1n6/P1Q2NBP/1P2NPP1/2KR1B1R b - - 2 20

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