Chess Puzzle #524FV — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook a6; knight e6; pawns b4/e5/g4/h3. Black: king d7; rook f4; knight c6; pawns b5/d4/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight e6→f4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxb4+ — knight c6→b4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king d3→d4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxa6 — knight b4→a6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, short. The key move Nxb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/3k4/R1n1N2p/1p2P1p1/1P1p1rP1/3K3P/8/8 w - - 1 40

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