Chess Puzzle #3gPNM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rook g4; knight d6; pawns a2/b5/e3. Black: king g6; rook c7; knight f7; pawns a7/b6/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king g6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight d6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f6→e7).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e8→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Ne8+.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1r2np1/1p1Np1k1/1P6/6R1/4P1K1/P7/8 b - - 6 48

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