Chess Puzzle #2N3hW — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/f1; bishop f4; knight c7; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/h2. Black: king a7; rooks d8/h8; bishops f3/f8; knight a6; pawns b7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nb5+ — knight c7→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a7→b6).
3. Best move: Nxd4 — knight b5→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nb5+.

Position data

FEN: 3r1b1r/kpN1pppp/n7/8/3P1B2/5b2/PP3P1P/2R2RK1 b - - 2 15

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