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

Position

White: king f3; knight c3; pawns a3/d4/e5/g2. Black: king g5; bishop d3; pawns a5/c4/d5/e6/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be4+ — bishop d3→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4+ — knight c3→e4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies dxe4+ (pawn d5→e4, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxe4 — king f3→e4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Nxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4p3/p2pP1k1/2pP3p/P1Nb1K2/6P1/8 b - - 1 43

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