Chess Puzzle #xJtLB — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; rook g1; knights e5/f3; pawns a3/b2/c2. Black: king h3; rook f8; knight e3; pawns b7/g2/g3. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd2 — king d1→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight e3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc4 (knight e5→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxf3 — rook f8→f3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Nc4+.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/1p6/8/4N3/8/P3nNpk/1PP3p1/3K2R1 w - - 16 54

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