the goal of chess puzzles is to teach you new tactical patterns so you can apply them in games, this solution showcases the full idea of the puzzle. compare this to 1...Kd8 2.Nxa8 where many may be left confused about why didn't the queen just take the knight.
Also, both responses by black are losing, so objectively they have equal value.
It's a common misconception that in puzzles the opponent must play the engine's "optimal" move. See this blog to understand why that isn't the case. In this instance, if the puzzle had continued with the engine preference, 1...Kd8, the result would be a faulty puzzle, because then you have two correct responses: 2.Nxa8 and 2.exd6, both of which obtain a winning position.
Also, both responses by black are losing, so objectively they have equal value.
Exactly right!
https://www.chess.com/daily-chess-puzzle/2023-10-31
The "correct" solution is to immediately go for the fork with Nc6, then Queen takes back, and then you do a discovered check by taking the pawn and attacking the queen.
But the Queen taking back is not forced, and it's not even the best engine move -- engine recommends sliding the King over which was the obvious (to me at least) response for white.
So why is this even a puzzle?