Chess Puzzle #1Em4W — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rook g3; knight d4; pawns a2/b3/c2/e6. Black: king g7; rook e7; knight g5; pawns a3/b4/f5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe6 — knight g5→e6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf5+ — knight d4→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
3. Best move: Nxe7 — knight f5→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Nxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4r1k1/4P1p1/5pn1/1p1N4/pP4R1/P1P5/2K5 b - - 1 42

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