Chess Puzzle #2TpwN — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a8; rooks c1/h1; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g6; queen c4; rooks b2/h8; bishop d6; knight e4; pawns c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh8 — queen a8→h8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qe8+ (queen h8→e8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf6 — king g6→f6.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: Q6r/2p3p1/3b2kp/8/2q1n2P/2N2N2/Pr3PP1/2R3KR w - - 0 26

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