Chess Puzzle #1fVq5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rook b5; knight f6; pawns a4/b3/d4/e5/h3. Black: king g7; queen b8; pawns b6/d5/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc7 — queen b8→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight f6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e8→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Ne8+.

Position data

FEN: 1q6/5pk1/1p2pNp1/1R1pP3/P2P4/1P4KP/8/8 b - - 1 42

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