Chess Puzzle #DCLM8 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen g8; rook d1; bishop b3; knight c2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen e5; rook f8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/d6/h5. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg3 — queen g8→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight d7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king d3→d2).
3. Best move: Ne4+ — knight c5→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d2→c1).
4. Best move: Nxg3 — knight e4→g3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Nc5+.

Position data

FEN: 3k1rQ1/pp1n4/3p4/3Pq2p/2P5/1B1K4/PPN3PP/3R4 w - - 5 33

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