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

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/e7; knights c3/d5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; rooks a8/d8; bishop g6; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/f6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook e7→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxd5 (knight c3→d5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
4. Best move: Nxc1 — knight e2→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2r4/pp2Rpkp/5pb1/3N4/3n4/2N5/PP3PPP/2R3K1 w - - 2 19

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