Chess Puzzle #VNLdH — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks d2/h1; bishops b3/e7; knight g1; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e5; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; knights b8/d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d2→d7, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe2+ — queen e5→e2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe2 (knight g1→e2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight b8→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rnb1r2k/pp1nB2p/2p3p1/4q3/8/1B6/P1PRQPPP/4K1NR w K - 4 16

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