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

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; bishop f4; knight d5; pawns a4/c2/c4/f2/f6/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight d7; pawns a6/b6/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc7+ — knight d5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
3. Best move: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nc7+.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/3n1ppp/pp1p1P2/3Np3/P1P2B2/8/2P2PPP/R4RK1 b kq - 0 15

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