Chess Puzzle #2KAeL — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; bishop c2; pawns a6/c3/f3/g3/h4. Black: king e5; knight b5; pawns c4/f5/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba4 — bishop c2→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3+ — knight b5→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e2→d2).
3. Best move: Nxa4 — knight c3→a4, captures bishop. Opponent replies a7 (pawn a6→a7).
4. Best move: Nb6 — knight a4→b6.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/P5pp/1n2kp2/2p4P/2P2PP1/2B1K3/8 w - - 1 44

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