Chess Puzzle #1oxmi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; knight c6; pawns a3/b4/e5/f4. Black: king f7; bishop c8; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg6 — king f7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g6→h6).
3. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures bishop. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d5→d4).
4. Best move: Kg3 — king h4→g3.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 2b5/5k2/p1N1p3/1p1pPp2/1P3P1K/P7/8/8 b - - 4 45

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