Chess Puzzle #3gcxX — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishop f6; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg4 — queen e4→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxd5 — queen d8→d5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Ne2+.

Position data

FEN: r2qr2k/pp5p/5bp1/3N4/3nQ3/2P5/PP1P1PPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 1 19

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