Chess Puzzle #sMvVW — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; knight c7; pawns a4/b6/d5/f6/g5/h3. Black: king g8; rook d8; knight f4; pawns f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight f4→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c7→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook d8→d5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Ke3 — king f3→e3.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2N2p1p/1P3Pp1/3P2P1/P4n2/5K1P/8/8 b - - 2 45

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