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

Position

White: king e2; queen f3; rooks a1/g1; bishop d2; knight g2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e5/f4/h3. Black: king c6; queen h8; bishops b7/h6; knights e7/f5; pawns a6/b4/c4/d5/e6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4+ — knight f5→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e2→f2).
3. Best move: Nxf3 — knight d4→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7q/1b2n3/p1k1p2b/3pPn2/1ppP1P2/2P2Q1P/PP1BK1N1/R5R1 w - - 0 30

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