Chess Puzzle #21d9x — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook c6; knight e4; pawns a3/d5/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook b5; bishop d6; pawns a6/c7/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook b5→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move is Nf6+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2pq2pp/p1Rb4/1r1Pp3/4N3/P5Q1/5P1P/6K1 b - - 2 32

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