Chess Puzzle #0NO6V — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen c2; rooks c1/c4; bishops b7/e3; pawns a5/b6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks d8/e5; bishop b8; knight f5; pawns a6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook c4→c8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe3+ — knight f5→e3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
3. Best move: Nxc2 — knight e3→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Nxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1b1r2k1/1B3ppp/pP3q2/P3rn2/2R5/4B2P/2Q2PP1/2R2K2 w - - 2 31

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