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

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook e3; knight e4; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook a8; bishop f7; pawns a7/b7/c4/c7/d3/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen g6→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxf6 — queen e5→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/ppp2b1p/6q1/4Q3/2p1N3/2PpR3/P4PPP/6K1 b - - 9 23

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