Chess Puzzle #aBcE2 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks c1/d1; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/d5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen f5; rooks d7/e8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg3 — pawn h4→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight b5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Nxf5 — knight d6→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/pppr1pp1/5n2/1N1P1q2/2Q4p/6P1/PP3P1P/2RR2K1 b - - 3 20

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