Chess Puzzle #12Sgv — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/d1; knights e4/e5; pawns a2/c2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f7; bishop c8; knight d4; pawns a7/c5/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf7 — knight e5→f7, captures rook. 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, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Ne2+.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/p4r1p/1q2p1p1/2p1N3/2PnN3/2Q5/P1P2PPP/R2R2K1 w - - 0 24

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