Chess Puzzle #0QF6F — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d7; rooks d1/h1; bishop f1; knights e4/g1; pawns a2/b2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks b8/f8; bishop c5; pawns c4/c7/f6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen e7→d7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight e4→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/2pQqp1p/5pp1/2bP4/2p1N3/8/PP3PPP/2KR1BNR b - - 0 14

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