Chess Puzzle #5Ii5z — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; knight d4; pawns a3/b4/c3/g3/h4. Black: king b6; bishop e5; pawns b5/c6/f5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop e5→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b6→c7).
3. Best move: Kf4 — king f3→f4. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
4. Best move: Kg5 — king f4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, master. The key move cxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1kp3p1/1p2bp1p/1P1N3P/P1P2KP1/8/8 b - - 4 34

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