Chess Puzzle #1rfp2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; knights b4/c5; pawns a5/b2/c3/f5/g4. Black: king e5; rook e7; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/d5/f6/g5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc8 — bishop b7→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight b4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e5→d6).
3. Best move: Nxe7 — knight c6→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/1b2r3/p4p2/PpNpkPp1/1N4P1/2P2K2/1P6/8 b - - 0 44

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