Chess Puzzle #wJzD9 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d3; rooks a1/h1; bishop c3; knights c7/f3; pawns a4/d5/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen b3; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/g7; knight f6; pawns a7/c5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies O-O (king e1→g1).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b4r/p1Nk1pbp/3p1np1/2pP4/P3P3/1qBQ1N2/5PPP/R3K2R w KQ - 3 17

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