Chess Puzzle #3exsH — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rooks c1/c2; bishop d3; knight d4; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c7/c8; knight c3; pawns a6/b4/d5/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne2 — knight d4→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe2+ — knight c3→e2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop d3→e2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c7→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c1→c2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, long, middlegame. The key move Nxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2r2p2/pq4pp/3p4/1p1N4/1PnB2P1/P1R2PP1/Q1R3K1 w - - 2 32

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