Chess Puzzle #14Si8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook c7; knight e4; pawns d3/d5/g4/h3. Black: king h7; queen a2; pawns a5/b6/e5/g5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen a2→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
3. Best move: Nxd5 — knight f6→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move is Nf6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2R3pk/1p5p/p2Pp1p1/4N1P1/3PK2P/q7/8 b - - 2 45

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