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

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; rook f2; bishop g4; pawns d7/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen f6; rook f8; knight e5; pawns f3/g7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxf3+ — knight e5→f3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h2→g2).
3. Best move: Ne1+ — knight f3→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g2→h1).
4. Best move: Nxc2 — knight e1→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/3P2p1/5q2/4n2p/6B1/5pPP/2Q2R1K/8 w - - 0 42

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