Chess Puzzle #155Vt — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; knight f7; pawns d4/e3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king b5; bishop c8; pawns a5/d5/f5/f6/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight f7→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king b5→b6).
3. Best move: Nxc8+ — knight d6→c8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2b5/5N2/5pp1/pk1p1p1p/3P1P1P/2K1P1P1/8/8 b - - 1 61

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