Chess Puzzle #2smK3 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks c1/e1; bishop g2; knight f3; pawns a3/b4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c8/f8; bishop a6; knight c3; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd2 — knight f3→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe2 (rook e1→e2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c7→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, discovered attack, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/2q2ppp/b3p3/8/1P6/P1n2NP1/1Q3PBP/2R1R1K1 w - - 1 25

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