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

Position

White: king e3; knight e4; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/f3/h2. Black: king f6; bishop c8; knight h4; pawns a7/b6/c5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke5 — king f6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: f4+ — pawn f3→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king e5→f5).
3. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f5→f6).
4. Best move: Nxc8 — knight d6→c8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is f4+.

Position data

FEN: 2b5/p7/1p3k2/2pP4/2P1N2n/1P2KP2/P6P/8 b - - 2 43

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