Chess Puzzle #9kJ51 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; bishop c2; knight e3; pawns a2/c3/d4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king h7; queen c6; rooks a8/g8; bishop b7; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/e6/f5/f6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf5 — knight e3→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: exf5 — pawn e6→f5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxf5+ (bishop c2→f5, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg7 — king h7→g7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move exf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/pb1n3k/1pq1pp1p/5p2/3P4/2P1NPP1/P1BQ3P/R4RK1 w - - 1 21

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