Chess Puzzle #1Zn1I — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; knight c6; pawns a4/b4/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rook a8; knight f4; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight f4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
3. Best move: Nxc1 — knight e2→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4k2/p1p2pp1/1pN4p/8/PP2Pn2/5P2/6PP/2R3K1 w - - 1 26

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