Chess Puzzle #4el3L — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b3; rook c2; knight d4; pawns a3/b4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d1; rook d7; knight e4; pawns b7/d5/f7/g6/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a3→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd2 — knight e4→d2. Opponent replies Ne6+ (knight d4→e6, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh7 — king g7→h7.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Nd2.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p1r1pk1/6p1/3p4/1P1Nn2p/PQ2P2P/2R2PPK/3q4 w - - 3 38

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