Chess Puzzle #29Me4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/e1; bishop e3; knights e4/f4; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks e8/f8; bishops b7/d6; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/c6/d4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe3 — pawn d4→e3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd6 — knight e4→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies exf2+ (pawn e3→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf2 — king g1→f2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/pb1n1pp1/1ppb3p/8/3pNN2/P2PB2P/1PP2PP1/R3R1K1 b - - 1 17

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