Chess Puzzle #0Qz1t — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/f5; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/d5/f6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen d3→c3. 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

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

Position data

FEN: r6r/pp1k1ppp/5p2/2bp1b2/3n4/3Q4/PPP2PPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 4 15

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