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

Position

White: king f3; rook a1; knight e2; pawns a3/b4/e3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook c2; bishop d7; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb5 — bishop d7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd4 — knight e2→d4. Opponent replies Rd2 (rook c2→d2).
3. Best move: Nxb5 — knight d4→b5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nd4.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p2b1ppp/4p3/3pP3/1P6/P3PK1P/2r1N1P1/R7 b - - 1 24

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