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

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/d2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king b6; queen d5; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight d4; pawns a6/b5/e7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d2→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4b1r/4p1pp/pk6/1p1q4/3nNP2/2Q5/PP1P2PP/R1B2RK1 w - - 3 22

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