Chess Puzzle #2XSpS — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook e1; pawns a4/c2/c4/e4/g2/g4/h3. Black: king c5; knight e5; pawns a5/c3/d6/e6/f4/g5/h4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook e1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight e5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rd3 (rook d1→d3).
3. Best move: Kb4 — king c5→b4.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Nxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/3pp3/p1k1n1p1/P1P1PpPp/2p4P/2P1K1P1/4R3 w - - 1 49

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