Chess Puzzle #1zPj1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen c1; rook g1; bishop c4; pawns a3/b4/c5/d6. Black: king f8; rooks d8/h8; knights d4/e4; pawns e5/f5/f7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3 — queen c1→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc2+ — knight d4→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
3. Best move: Nxe3 — knight c2→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nc2+.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k1r/5p2/3P3p/2P1pp2/1PBnn3/P7/8/2Q1K1R1 w - - 4 44

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