Chess Puzzle #3f5II — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rook f3; knight e5; pawns a3/b4/f4/g2. Black: king e7; queen d2; pawns a6/b7/d4/e6/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king e7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight e5→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king d6→d5).
3. Best move: Nxd2 — knight c4→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Nc4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2k2p/p3p3/4Np2/1P1p1P2/P4R2/3q2PK/8 b - - 2 35

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