Chess Puzzle #1d20y — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g3; bishop e3; knight d5; pawns a2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king d1; queen c2; pawns a7/c3/c4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb1 — queen c2→b1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3+ — knight d5→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d1→c2).
3. Best move: Nxb1 — knight c3→b1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move Nxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p7/8/3N4/2p5/2p1BPK1/P1q3PP/3k4 b - - 7 45

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