Chess Puzzle #64u9J — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; rook b1; knights e4/f3; pawns b2/b3/c4/d5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; rook a2; bishop g7; knight c8; pawns b5/d6/e5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb5 — pawn c4→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Opponent replies Nc3 (knight e4→c3).
3. Best move: e4+ — pawn e5→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d3→e3).
4. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop g7→c3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

deflection, discovered attack, endgame, equality, exposed king, fork, long. The key move is f5.

Position data

FEN: 2n3k1/5pbp/3p2p1/1p1Pp3/2P1N2P/1P1K1NP1/rP3P2/1R6 w - - 3 23

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