Chess Puzzle #mc2SX — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights c3/h1; pawns a5/b2/e3/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen c6; rooks d8/h8; bishop c5; knight e4; pawns a6/b7/c7/f5/g6/h3. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf2 — knight h1→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen f3→c6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Re1 (rook f1→e1).
5. Best move: Nxc1 — knight e2→c1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Nxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/1pp5/p1q3p1/P1b2p2/4n3/2N1PQPp/1P5P/R1B2RKN w - - 4 26

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