Chess Puzzle #04Vzh — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks b2/e1; knight f6; pawns a3/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen c7; rook b8; bishop d4; pawns a6/c5/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b8→b2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight f6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king g7→g8).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e8→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Ne8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/2q2pkp/p3pNp1/2p5/2Pb4/P4Q1P/1R3PP1/4R1K1 b - - 0 35

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