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

Position

White: king g1; rook f1; knight b7; pawns b3/e5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king d7; rook b2; knight b4; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook b2→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight b7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
3. Best move: Nxb3 — knight c5→b3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1N1k1ppp/4p3/3pP3/1n3P1P/1P4P1/1r6/5RK1 b - - 0 24

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