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

Position

White: king g1; rook f1; knight c3; pawns a2/b4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f6; rook d2; knight c5; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight c5→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne4+ — knight c3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f6→e5).
3. Best move: Nxd2 — knight e4→d2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Ne4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pp1/p3pk1p/1pn5/1P6/2N1P3/P2r1PPP/5RK1 b - - 0 23

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