Chess Puzzle #4d3rt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b4; knight d6; pawns c5/d4/e3/e5/h3. Black: king a6; bishop e8; pawns c6/d5/e4/e6/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe8 — knight d6→e8, captures bishop. Opponent replies g4 (pawn g5→g4).
3. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h5→g4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Nc7+ — knight e8→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a6→a7).
5. Best move: Nxe6 — knight c7→e6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, hanging piece, very long. The key move Nxe8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4b3/7p/k1pNp3/2PpP1p1/1K1Pp3/4P2P/8/8 b - - 1 37

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