Chess Puzzle #2gwnY — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook a1; knight d4; pawns b4/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king b6; rook d8; knights c5/c6; pawns e4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc5+ — pawn b4→c5, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc5 (king b6→c5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: cxd4+ — pawn c3→d4, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, intermezzo, short. The key move bxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/7p/1kn3p1/2n5/1P1Np3/2P1K1P1/5P1P/R7 b - - 0 34

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