Chess Puzzle #J9uvL — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c7; knight e6; pawns b7/d5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g7; rook b8; knight d4; pawns c2/d6/f7/g4/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king g7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight e6→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxb7 (rook b8→b7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c7→c2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, endgame, hanging piece, short. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/1PR2pk1/3pN1p1/3P4/3n1Pp1/8/2p3PP/6K1 b - - 3 38

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