Chess Puzzle #31Hnt — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b4; knights c5/f3; pawns b6/c7/e5/f4/g5/h4. Black: king c6; knights c8/e4; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight c5→e4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Nd4+ (knight f3→d4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxb6 — king c6→b6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, knight endgame, short. The key move dxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2n5/2P2p2/1Pk1p1p1/2NpP1Pp/1K2nP1P/5N2/8/8 w - - 3 50

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