Chess Puzzle #1OVF6 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook d6; knight c4; pawns a3/b3/e5/g3/h2. Black: king e7; rook c7; knight d4; pawns a7/c5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na5 — knight c4→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nf5+ — knight d4→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke4 (king e3→e4).
3. Best move: Nxd6+ — knight f5→d6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies exd6+ (pawn e5→d6, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxd6 — king e7→d6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Nxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1r1k1pp/3Rp3/2p1P3/2Nn4/PP2K1P1/7P/8 w - - 5 42

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