Chess Puzzle #1pi5h — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; knight e4; pawns a3/b2/f3/g2/h3. Black: king b3; bishop c4; pawns a5/b6/c5/f4/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd2+ — knight e4→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b3→a4).
3. Best move: Nxc4 — knight d2→c4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Nd2+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p1p/1p6/p1p5/2b1Np2/Pk3P1P/1P4P1/2K5 b - - 3 34

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