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

Position

White: king e1; rook g6; knight d4; pawns a3/c3/f4/h5. Black: king d8; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a5/c4/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra7 — rook a8→a7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight d4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d8→e8).
3. Best move: Nxa7 — knight c6→a7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Nc6+.

Position data

FEN: r1bk4/6p1/6Rp/p4p1P/2pN1P2/P1P5/8/4K3 b - - 2 37

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