Chess Puzzle #FDho7 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; knight c4; pawns a6/b5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d6; bishop e7; pawns a7/b6/d4/e5/f5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd5 — king d6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb6+ — knight c4→b6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d5→c5).
3. Best move: Nc8 — knight b6→c8. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop e7→d8).
4. Best move: Nxa7 — knight c8→a7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Nxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p3b3/Pp1k2pp/1P2pp2/2Np4/8/4KPPP/8 b - - 5 34

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