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

Position

White: king c3; knight e3; pawns b3/b5/f2/f4/h4. Black: king c5; knight e7; pawns a5/e4/f5/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5+ — knight e7→d5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight e3→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxd5 (king c5→d5, captures knight).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, short. The key move Nxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4np2/8/pPk2p1p/4pP1P/1PK1N3/5P2/8 b - - 0 40

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