Chess Puzzle #4a1eD — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; rook c6; knight c4; pawns a2/e2/g3/h2. Black: king f7; rook b8; bishop f6; pawns a4/d4/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook b8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight c4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
3. Best move: Nxe8 — knight d6→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/5kpp/2R2b2/4p3/p1Np4/5KP1/P3P2P/8 b - - 3 36

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