Chess Puzzle #1i1z9 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; rook e5; pawns a3/e7/g4/h4. Black: king f7; knight c7; pawns a5/b5/c5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook e5→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne6+ — knight c7→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f4→e5).
3. Best move: Nxc5 — knight e6→c5, captures rook. Opponent replies e8=Q+ (pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxe8 — king f7→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Ne6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2n1Pk2/6pp/ppp1R3/5KPP/P7/8/8 w - - 2 40

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