Chess Puzzle #03puQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/c1; bishops c6/g5; knight e4; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; rooks b2/d8; bishops a6/g7; knight f6; pawns a7/c3/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook d8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f7→g8).
3. Best move: Nxc8 — knight d6→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p4kbp/b1B1pnp1/6B1/4N3/2p5/Pr3PPP/R1R3K1 b - - 1 20

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