Chess Puzzle #ZCn02 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rook e7; knight e6; pawns b2/d5/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c1; rook a1; knight e5; pawns c5/d6/f6/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh4 — queen g3→h4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
3. Best move: Nxh4 — knight f3→h4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move is Nf3+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4R3/3pNppp/2pPn3/4P3/6QP/1P3PPK/r1q5 w - - 1 36

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