Chess Puzzle #4xHoq — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen e6; rooks a1/h1; bishops c5/f1; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h4. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks a8/h8; bishop e7; knight c6; pawns a6/b6/e5/f5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe7 — bishop c5→e7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd4+ — knight c6→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e2→f2).
3. Best move: Nxe6 — knight d4→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd4+.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/2q1b3/ppn1Q2p/2B1pp2/2P4P/8/PP2K1P1/R4B1R w kq - 0 21

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