Chess Puzzle #21lQS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; rook f5; knight h7; pawns b2/c3/e4/f2. Black: king e7; rook g6; bishop h4; pawns a4/a5/c6/e5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king e7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf8+ — knight h7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e6→d6).
3. Best move: Nxg6 — knight f8→g6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Nf8+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k2N/2p3r1/p3pR1p/p3P2b/2P5/1PK2P2/8 b - - 3 35

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