Chess Puzzle #9UFsv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; bishop d3; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/f3/g4/h4. Black: king e5; bishop b7; knight d5; pawns a5/b6/d4/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf4 — knight d5→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight d2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king e5→f6).
3. Best move: Kxf4 — king g3→f4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, master, short. The key move is Nc4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1b6/1p4pp/p2nk3/3p2PP/3B1PK1/PP1N4/8 b - - 9 40

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