Chess Puzzle #1V18L — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rook h1; knight e5; pawns b4/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rook h8; bishop a2; pawns a6/c6/c7/e4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook h8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc6+ — knight e5→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
3. Best move: Nxb8 — knight c6→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move Nxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/2p1k1pp/p1p5/4Np2/1P1Pp3/4P3/b2K1PPP/7R b - - 1 23

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