Chess Puzzle #2UW5k — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/e1; knight d4; pawns a4/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rooks c5/d8; knight f6; pawns a6/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king e7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight d4→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies fxe6 (pawn f7→e6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, endgame, short. The key move Nxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/4kppp/pp2pn2/2r5/P2N4/2P5/1P3PPP/3RR1K1 b - - 5 22

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