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

Position

White: king f2; rook a1; knight d4; pawns a5/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rook a8; knight c4; pawns b5/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa5 — rook a8→a5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight d4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
3. Best move: Nxa5 — knight c6→a5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc6+.

Position data

FEN: r7/4kpp1/4p2p/Pp1p4/2nN4/8/5KPP/R7 b - - 3 36

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