Chess Puzzle #5Ku5u — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e5; rook a7; bishop c4; pawns b3/d5/f4/g2. Black: king b8; rook b6; knight e3; pawns b4/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg7 — rook a7→g7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4+ — knight e3→c4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b3→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: b3 — pawn b4→b3.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Nxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/R7/1r4p1/3PK2p/1pB2P2/1P2n3/6P1/8 w - - 7 49

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