Chess Puzzle #5LzZg — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen e3; rook c7; bishop a8; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/d4. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook h8; knight b4; pawns a5/b6/e6/g7/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook c7→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc2+ — knight b4→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king a1→b1).
3. Best move: Nxe3 — knight c2→e3, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxd1 — knight e3→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Nc2+.

Position data

FEN: B5kr/2R3p1/1p2p3/pN6/1n1P3p/4Q3/PP6/K2q4 w - - 0 28

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