Chess Puzzle #40lov — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; rook d2; bishops b2/f1; knight d4; pawns a3/b3/b5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; bishops b1/g7; knight c5; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb3 — knight c5→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb3 — knight d4→b3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd2+ (rook d8→d2, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxd2 — knight b3→d2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p4pbp/1p4p1/1Pn5/3N4/PP3P2/1B1R1KPP/1b3B2 b - - 0 27

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