Chess Puzzle #0MU7J — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; rook b1; bishop b3; knight d4; pawns a2/c3/f3/g4. Black: king e7; rook a3; knights c5/d6; pawns b5/d5/e6/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra5 — rook a3→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight d4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
3. Best move: Nxa5 — knight c6→a5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4kp2/3np3/1pnp2p1/3N2P1/rBP2P2/P1K5/1R6 b - - 1 41

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