Chess Puzzle #4MJ5b — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e1; knight c6; pawns a5/b4/d5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f5; bishop g7; pawns a6/b5/d6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen f5→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pb1/p1Np2p1/Pp1P1q1p/1P6/5P2/6PP/4Q1K1 b - - 0 30

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