Chess Puzzle #1IKgz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; knight b3; pawns e5/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; knight d4; pawns a6/b7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb3 — knight d4→b3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exd6 — pawn e5→d6, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxa1 (knight b3→a1, captures queen).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move exd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p3p1p/p2q2p1/4P3/3n4/1N4PP/8/Q5K1 b - - 0 44

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