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

Position

White: king b2; rook h1; knight f5; pawns c2/c6/g4/h3. Black: king g8; rook c8; pawns a6/b4/d5/e5/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight f5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
3. Best move: Nxc8+ — knight d6→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move Nxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/6pp/p1P2p2/3ppN2/1p4P1/7P/1KP5/7R b - - 1 31

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