Chess Puzzle #35VAy — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks c3/h1; pawns a2/c2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king c6; rook f7; knight e4; pawns b2/b6/c5/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re3 — rook c3→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd2+ — knight e4→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb2 (king b1→b2, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nc4+ — knight d2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king b2→b3).
4. Best move: Nxe3 — knight c4→e3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Nd2+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p2rpp/1pk5/2p1P3/4n3/2R5/PpP3PP/1K5R w - - 0 26

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