Chess Puzzle #3DwxY — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rook d2; knight c1; pawns a3/b2/e4/g3/h3. Black: king c5; rook d6; knight d3; pawns b5/c6/e5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc1 — knight d3→c1, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king c5→c4).
3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d2→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is b4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2pr3p/1pk1p3/4P3/P2n2PP/1P1R4/2N2K2 b - - 1 31

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