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

Rating 939 · Beginner · crushing, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/d1; bishop g2; knight c2; pawns a2/b2/d3/e2/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks b8/e8; bishop d7; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e3 — pawn e2→e3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Ne2+.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/pppb1pp1/3q3p/4p3/3n2P1/2QP3P/PPN1PPB1/R2R2K1 w - - 4 18

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.