Chess Puzzle #0PQVC — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; knight e4; pawns a4/d7/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; bishop d4; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen d8→d7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Nxd7+ — knight f6→d7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Nxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/3P1pp1/p6p/4p3/P2bN3/6QP/5PP1/6K1 b - - 0 31

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