Chess Puzzle #1rN4S — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook e1; knight f5; pawns a3/e5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen e8; rook a8; knight e6; pawns a4/b6/c4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen e8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight f5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e7→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: r3q1k1/5ppp/1p2n3/4PN2/p1p5/P5PP/3Q1P2/4R1K1 b - - 1 32

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