Chess Puzzle #3bGVd — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; knight c3; pawns a3/b4/f4/g3/h4. Black: king c6; knight b6; pawns c4/e6/f5/g4/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke3 — king d2→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd5+ — knight b6→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd5 (knight c3→d5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kxd5 — king c6→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
4. Best move: e5 — pawn e6→e5. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f4→e5, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Kxe5 — king d5→e5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, very long. The key move is Nd5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1nk1p3/5p1p/1Pp2PpP/P1N3P1/3K4/8 w - - 3 43

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