Chess Puzzle #1ZIB5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e2; rooks a1/g1; knight f6; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/f2/g3. Black: king c8; queen d7; rook h7; bishops b6/e6; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e5/h3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook h7→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxf2+ (rook f7→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxf2 — queen e2→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pppq3r/1b1pbNn1/4p3/8/2PP2Pp/PP2QP1K/R5R1 b - - 3 24

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