Chess Puzzle #2Zf8c — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop d2; knights c3/h4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen f5; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf5 — knight h4→f5, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxe2+ (knight d4→e2, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxe2 — knight c3→e2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1b1r/ppp1pppp/2n2n2/5q2/7N/2NP4/PPPBQPPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 10

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