Chess Puzzle #260qh — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; knight f4; pawns a4/h3. Black: king c5; bishop c3; pawns f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb4 — king c5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd5+ — knight f4→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b4→a4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxc3+ — knight d5→c3, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Nxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6p1/5p1p/2k5/P4N2/2b2K1P/8/8 b - - 2 49

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