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

Position

White: king e1; rooks a1/h1; bishop c6; knight e5; pawns a4/b2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen f6; rooks a8/h8; bishop d1; pawns b4/d6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king e8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd7+ — knight e5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Nxf6 — knight d7→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd7+.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/5ppp/2Bp1q2/4N3/Pp2P3/8/1P3PPP/R2bK2R b KQkq - 0 17

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