Chess Puzzle #157zh — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook d4; knight c6; pawns a2/b3/e4/e7/g2/h2. Black: king e6; rook e8; knight c3; pawns a3/b4/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
3. Best move: Nxd4 — knight e2→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r3/4P1p1/2N1k2p/8/1p1RP3/pPn5/P5PP/6K1 w - - 1 34

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