Chess Puzzle #2W2Z7 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook b1; knight c5; pawns b4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; knight c3; pawns b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook b1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Nxc1 — knight e2→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5ppp/4p3/1pN1P3/1P6/2n5/5PPP/1R4K1 w - - 0 27

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