Chess Puzzle #8WOhE — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rook a1; pawns a4/b2/c2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b6; knight e4; pawns a5/b4/c6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf4 — queen d2→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight e4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
4. Best move: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Nc3+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5pp1/1qp4p/p4P2/Pp2n3/8/1PPQ2PP/RK6 w - - 0 28

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