Chess Puzzle #1XnUr — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks c1/e1; bishop d3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/f6/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns a6/b6/d5/e6/f7/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nb4 — knight c6→b4. Opponent replies Nc7+ (knight d5→c7, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc7 — queen d8→c7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qg4 (queen f3→g4).
4. Best move: Qd7 — queen c7→d7.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame. The key move is Nb4.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/1b3p2/ppn1pP2/3p4/3P3p/2NB1Q1P/PP3PP1/2R1R1K1 w kq - 1 22

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