Chess Puzzle #5bhN3 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen d6; rooks a1/f1; knights e2/f2; pawns a2/b3. Black: king g7; queen b4; rook f3; knight e3; pawns a7/b7/c5/e4/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb2 — king c2→b2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc4+ — knight e3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king b2→c2).
3. Best move: Nxd6 — knight c4→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Nc4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp4kp/3Q2p1/2p5/1q2p3/1P2nr2/P1K1NN2/R4R2 w - - 1 27

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