Chess Puzzle #69EM4 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; knight c5; pawns a5/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king d6; rook b1; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook b1→a1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kb2 — king c2→b2. Opponent replies Rxa5 (rook a1→a5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nb7+ — knight c5→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d6→c6).
4. Best move: Nxa5+ — knight b7→a5, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5ppp/3kp3/P1Np4/3P4/4P2P/2K2PP1/1r6 b - - 0 42

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