Chess Puzzle #Ekxa0 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; knight b5; pawns a3/b4/g4/h3. Black: king e6; knight c6; pawns b7/d4/d5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4+ — knight b5→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king d3→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d4→c5).
4. Best move: Ke5 — king e6→e5. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a3→a4).
5. Best move: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, knight endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/2n1k2p/1N1p2p1/1P1p2P1/P2K3P/8/8 w - - 1 52

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