Chess Puzzle #5zH5w — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights d2/e3; pawns a3/b4/c3/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e6; rooks d8/h8; bishop e7; knights d3/g8; pawns a7/b5/c6/g7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc1 — knight d3→c1, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rfxc1 (rook f1→c1, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxd2 — rook d8→d2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, discovered attack, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2nr/p3b1p1/2p1k3/1p2P2p/1P3P2/P1PnN3/3N2PP/R1B2RK1 w - - 1 18

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