Chess Puzzle #XQGN8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook a1; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; rook c2; bishop e6; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd4 — knight e2→d4. Opponent replies Nxc3 (knight e4→c3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Nxc2 — knight d4→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move is Nd4.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp3pkp/2p1bnp1/8/4P3/2N4P/PPr1NPP1/R5K1 b - - 0 23

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