Chess Puzzle #2DV9N — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook a1; knight f3; pawns a4/e5/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen a5; rook c7; knight c3; pawns e6/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf4 — queen e4→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/2r2pk1/4p1p1/q3P2p/P3Q2P/2n2N2/5PP1/R5K1 w - - 4 36

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.