Chess Puzzle #9UIl9 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f3; rook f1; bishop e6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/h3. Black: king b8; queen g5; rook f8; knight f4; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight c3→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6 — knight f4→e6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf8+ (queen f3→f8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxf8 — knight e6→f8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxf8+ (rook f1→f8, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka7 — king b8→a7.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Nxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/1pp3pp/p2pB3/4p1q1/4Pn2/2NP1Q1P/PPP5/1K3R2 w - - 0 21

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