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

Position

White: king e1; queen b7; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/e2; knights d5/e5; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops e7/f5; knights d7/f6; pawns a7/c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight d7→e5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe7+ — knight d5→e7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Nxf5 — knight e7→f5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, opening, short. The key move Nxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pQ1nbppp/5n2/2pNNb2/8/4P3/PP2BPPP/R1B1K2R b KQ - 0 13

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