Chess Puzzle #4nCd3 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; knight d3; pawns b2/c4/e2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king c7; rook a8; bishops b7/e7; knights d2/d4; pawns a5/b4/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxd2 — king d1→d2, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nb3+ — knight d4→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king d2→c2).
3. Best move: Nxa1+ — knight b3→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c2→b1).
4. Best move: Nb3 — knight a1→b3.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/1bk1b1pp/4p3/p7/1pPn1P2/3N4/1P1nP1PP/R1BK1B1R w - - 0 18

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