Chess Puzzle #0sebx — Beginner, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishops e3/f1; knight g1; pawns a3/b2/c2/d5/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c3/d7; knights b4/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e7/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen d2→c3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Na2+ — knight b4→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Nxc3+ — knight a2→c3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, opening, short. The key move Nxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qk1nr/pppbpp2/3p2p1/3P3p/1n2P3/P1b1B3/1PPQ1PPP/2KR1BNR w kq - 0 9

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