Chess Puzzle #1yy3a — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; bishop f4; knight b3; pawns c3/c4/e4/f5/h5. Black: king c6; rook a4; knight f7; pawns a5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook a4→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxa5+ — knight b3→a5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c6→b5).
3. Best move: Nxc4 — knight a5→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move Nxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5npp/2k2p2/p4P1P/r1P1PB2/1NP1K3/8/8 b - - 1 50

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