Chess Puzzle #Atkaj — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; rook f8; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c7. Black: king g7; rook c2; pawns a7/b5/e5/g3/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf8 — king g7→f8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc3 — knight d5→c3. Opponent replies g2 (pawn g3→g2).
3. Best move: c8=Q+ — pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, master, promotion, short. The key move is Nc3.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/p1P3kp/8/1p1Np3/8/6p1/PPr5/4K3 b - - 0 36

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