Chess Puzzle #31azm — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f5; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f4/h4. Black: king h7; queen h6; rook g8; bishop c6; pawns a6/b5/c7/e7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king h7→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf7+ — knight e5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
3. Best move: Nxh6 — knight f7→h6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Nf7+.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/2p1p2k/p1b4q/1p2NQ2/3P1P1P/8/PPP5/2K5 b - - 0 30

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