Chess Puzzle #Qv08q — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/d1; bishop e2; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook e3; bishops b7/d6; knights e4/f6; pawns a7/b6/c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf5 — knight d4→f5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxe3 (knight f5→e3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxe2+ — knight c3→e2, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pbp3p1/1p1b1n1p/8/2PNn3/2N1r2P/PP2B1P1/R2R2K1 w - - 2 20

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