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

Position

White: king g2; queen e2; knight d2; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/g3. Black: king e6; queen c2; knight e7; pawns a4/b5/c6/d5/f6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd6 — king e6→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight d2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen e2→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, endgame, short. The key move is Nc4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4n3/2p1kp2/1p1p4/p2P4/P1P3P1/1PqNQ1K1/8 b - - 4 40

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