Chess Puzzle #2Dsrh — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; knight f3; pawns a3/c5/e5/f4/g6/h5. Black: king c7; knight c6; pawns b5/d5/e6/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight f3→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king c3→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kc6 — king c7→c6. Opponent replies Kd3 (king d4→d3).
4. Best move: Kxc5 — king c6→c5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, long, zugzwang. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k3p1/2n1p1Pp/1pPpPp1P/5P2/P1K2N2/8/8 w - - 1 37

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