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

Position

White: king e1; queen b4; rooks c1/h1; bishop d2; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knight f6; pawns a7/c4/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a7→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight b5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen b6→d6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxd6 — queen b4→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/p4ppp/1q3n2/1N1p4/1Qp5/4P3/PP1B1PPP/2R1K2R b Kkq - 1 17

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