Chess Puzzle #23WbC — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e3; rook h1; knights d4/d5; pawns b2/c2/e4/f5/g2/g6. Black: king b8; queen b7; rook c8; knights c4/g5; pawns a7/d6/e7/f6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen e3→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd2+ — knight c4→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Nxb3+ — knight d2→b3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, master, master vs master, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1kr5/pq2p3/3p1pP1/3N1Pn1/2nNP3/4Q3/1PP3P1/1K5R w - - 2 35

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