Chess Puzzle #16W4T — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook e2; knight d4; pawns a2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g7; rook c7; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight d5→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne6+ — knight d4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e6→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxe2 (knight c3→e2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Kxe2 — king f2→e2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Ne6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/ppr3kp/6p1/3n1p2/3N4/5P2/P1P1RKPP/8 b - - 8 31

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