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

Position

White: king e1; queen c1; rooks a1/h1; bishops e4/h6; pawns a3/c3/d4/f2/f3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop e7; knight e5; pawns a5/b6/c7/e6/f5/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa8 — bishop e4→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd3+ — knight e5→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
3. Best move: Nxc1+ — knight d3→c1, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, master, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/2p1b1p1/1p2p2B/p3np2/3PB2P/P1P2P2/5P2/R1Q1K2R w KQ - 0 18

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