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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rook a1; bishop c1; knight c4; pawns a4/b4/c3/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen h4; rook e8; bishop d6; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/c6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd6 — knight c4→d6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qxf2 — queen h4→f2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move is Re1+.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/1p3pp1/p1pb3p/3n4/PPN4q/1QPP3P/5PP1/R1B3K1 w - - 0 20

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