Chess Puzzle #7aC31 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rook g5; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/e4. Black: king g7; rooks f4/f8; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne5 — knight c6→e5. Opponent replies Qd4 (queen d3→d4).
3. Best move: c5 — pawn c7→c5. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen d4→d6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Ne5.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/1pp3k1/p1np2p1/6R1/4Pr2/2NQ4/PP6/7K w - - 1 27

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