Chess Puzzle #04QAb — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; knight f3; pawns a5/c6/e6/f5/g5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg2 — king h1→g2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne1+ — knight f3→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g2→f1).
3. Best move: Nxc2 — knight e1→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Ne1+.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/7p/2p1p3/p4pp1/8/P1N1PnP1/1PQ2P1P/7K w - - 0 26

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