Chess Puzzle #0Afi7 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook a1; bishop f4; knight f3; pawns a4/b3/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook e8; bishop g7; knight c3; pawns c5/d4/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Ne2+.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/3q1pbp/6p1/2p5/P1Pp1B2/1PnQ1N1P/5PP1/R5K1 w - - 4 24

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