Chess Puzzle #1cit7 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c3; knight d3; pawns a4/b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; bishop e6; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight d3→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxe6+ (knight c5→e6, captures bishop, gives check).
4. Best move: fxe6 — pawn f7→e6, captures knight.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5k2/ppp2pp1/4b2p/8/P2n4/1PRN3P/5PP1/6K1 w - - 2 27

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