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

Position

White: king g2; queen d7; rooks a1/h1; knight h3; pawns a2/b2/f3/g3. Black: king g8; queen g7; rooks a8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/f5/f7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2+ — queen g7→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf2 — knight h3→f2. Opponent replies Bxf3+ (bishop b7→f3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf3 — king g2→f3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Nf2.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pb1Q1pq1/1p6/5p2/8/5PPN/PP4K1/R6R b - - 0 25

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