Chess Puzzle #d0oqx — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks c1/e1; bishop b1; knights f7/g5; pawns a3/b4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; knights c6/d5; pawns a7/b6/e6/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook e1→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook c1→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook f8→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pb3N2/1pn1pqp1/3n2Np/1P1P3Q/P7/5PPP/1BR1R1K1 w - - 1 23

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