Chess Puzzle #27rkl — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; bishop e2; pawns d5/e6/f4/g3/h3. Black: king c7; knight e4; pawns d6/e7/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g4 — pawn g3→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h5→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h3→g4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nf2+ — knight e4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d3→e3).
4. Best move: Nxg4+ — knight f2→g4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Nxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k1p3/3pP1p1/3P1p1p/4nP2/3K2PP/4B3/8 w - - 6 42

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