Chess Puzzle #54Exv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rooks a7/h1; knight e2; pawns b2/b3/c2/d4/g2/h3. Black: king c6; rook f4; bishop e6; knight g3; pawns b7/d5/e4/f7/g5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxh1 — knight g3→h1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures rook. Opponent replies gxf4+ (pawn g5→f4, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf4 — king e3→f4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Nxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/Rp3p2/2k1b3/3p2p1/3Ppr2/1P2K1nP/1PP1N1P1/7R b - - 7 31

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