Chess Puzzle #22H18 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook a4; knight c4; pawns a5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e7; rook a8; knight a6; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd3 — king e2→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight a6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king d3→c3).
3. Best move: Nxa4+ — knight c5→a4, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, master, master vs master, short. The key move Nxa4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/4kpp1/n3p2p/P7/R1N5/7P/4KPP1/8 w - - 7 34

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