Chess Puzzle #09Lts — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook c2; knight f4; pawns a2/b3/c5/d4/e3/g3. Black: king f6; knights d1/f2; pawns a5/b4/c6/d5/e6/f5/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg2 — king h1→g2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe3+ — knight d1→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf2 (king g2→f2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Nxc2 — knight e3→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move Nxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/2p1pk2/p1Pp1p2/1p1P1Np1/1P2P1P1/P1R2n2/3n3K w - - 0 52

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