Chess Puzzle #09d7J — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; rook b5; knight d6; pawns c3/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g7; rook c7; bishop f8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight d6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5b2/2r2pkp/3Np1p1/1R1pP3/5P2/2P3P1/2K4P/8 b - - 0 36

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