Chess Puzzle #9zc4K — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen h3; rooks c1/h1; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2. Black: king h8; queen b4; rooks b8/c7; knight f6; pawns a7/d5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na4 — knight c3→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne4 — knight f6→e4. Opponent replies Rcd1 (rook c1→d1).
3. Best move: Nxf2+ — knight e4→f2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p1r2pp1/5n1p/3p4/1q1N4/1PNKP2Q/P4P2/2R4R w - - 3 27

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