Chess Puzzle #3a9Um — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e1; rook a1; knight e5; pawns a3/b2/c2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king e7; queen b6; rooks b7/g7; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f7/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen b6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc6+ — knight e5→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e7→f8).
3. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Nc6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1r2kpr1/pq2p3/1p1pN2p/5P2/P6P/1PP3P1/R3Q2K b - - 3 26

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