Chess Puzzle #AjulM — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c4; rook e4; pawns a4/c2/c3/f3/h2. Black: king f6; knight f5; pawns a6/b6/c6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight f5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king c4→d4).
3. Best move: Nxe4 — knight d6→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a5→b6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Nd6 — knight e4→d6.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 8/7p/ppp2kp1/5n2/P1K1R3/2P2P2/2P4P/8 w - - 1 33

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