Chess Puzzle #2inX9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook a4; knights b7/c6; pawns b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e7; rook e2; knights d7/f6; pawns e4/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king e7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd4+ — knight c6→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e6→e5).
3. Best move: Nxe2 — knight d4→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Nd4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1N1nkp1p/2N2np1/8/R3p3/6P1/1P2rPKP/8 b - - 1 31

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