Chess Puzzle #Ec9N7 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h5; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; knight e5; pawns a2/c2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen e6; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knights b8/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf7 — queen h5→f7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f6→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qf8+ (queen f7→f8, gives check).
3. Best move: Qe8 — queen e6→e8.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move fxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rnbk2nr/ppp3p1/4qp1p/4N2Q/3P4/2P5/P1P2PPP/R1B1KB1R w KQ - 2 12

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