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From the answer to my question How are PGN ambiguities handled?:

In the case of ambiguities (multiple pieces of the same type moving to the same square), the first appropriate disambiguating step of the three following steps is taken: ...

After reading that, a new ambiguity surged from that disambiguation, it is not clear what would happen if the pieces that look like they can move to a same square are all pinned except one piece, is then a need to disambiguate even if only one of those pieces can legally move in there?

Here is an illustrated example:

[FEN "4k3/8/8/8/8/8/8/q2NKN2 w - - 0 1"]

Should I use Ne3 or Nfe3?

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3 Answers

While it's not ambiguous (only Nfe3 is legal), it is better to be specific with Nfe3. Successful software can deal with both Ne3 and Nfe3, but not every pgn parser is perfect, and some beginners will appreciate the additional guidance.

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This. There's no reason other than pedanticism to "follow the spec". On the other hand, being specific is immediately obvious and doesn't require the mental processing of "Which Knight? Oh, the f-Knight". – Jonathan Garber Jan 17 at 15:04

Ne3 is perfectly fine, every normal pgn viewer knows legal moves and will perform it correctly.

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It is not ambiguous for only one Ne3 is legal.

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