Chess Puzzle #4JanS — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king d1; rook f7. Black: king e3; knight d5; pawn d3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh7 — rook f7→h7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight d5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d1→c1).
3. Best move: d2+ — pawn d3→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c1→b2).
4. Best move: d1=Q — pawn d2→d1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long, promotion. The key move is Nc3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5R2/8/3n4/8/3pk3/8/3K4 w - - 2 58

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