Chess Puzzle #eu3vx — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; rooks a1/h2; knights d2/f3; pawns a3/b4/c3/e3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king c8; rooks d8/h8; knights c4/g3; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2+ — rook d8→d2, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxd2 (knight c4→d2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kxd2 — king c2→d2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/ppp3pp/5p2/4p3/1Pn1P3/P1P1PNnP/2KN2PR/R7 b - - 2 17

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