Chess Puzzle #4u9B9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f6; rook d2; knight a8; pawns e5/f3/h3. Black: king d7; rook b4; knight c3; pawns a4/b7/d5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc4 — rook b4→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nb6+ — knight a8→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d7→c6).
3. Best move: Nxc4 — knight b6→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nb6+.

Position data

FEN: N7/1p1k3p/5Kp1/3pP3/pr6/2n2P1P/3R4/8 b - - 1 43

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