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

Position

White: king f1; rooks a4/h1; bishops c3/g2; knight e7; pawns a7/b2/d4/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; rooks a8/b5; bishop f5; knights c2/e4; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf5 — knight e7→f5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bxd5 (bishop g2→d5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/P3Npp1/4p2p/1r1p1b2/R2Pn3/2B3P1/1Pn1PPBP/5K1R w - - 1 24

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