Chess Puzzle #15LKb — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook d2; knight d6; pawns c2/e4/f3/g2/h4. Black: king f6; rook c8; knight a4; pawns b7/e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook c8→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight d6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f6→e7).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Ne8+.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/1p3p2/3Npkp1/7p/n3P2P/5P2/2PR1KP1/8 b - - 0 35

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