Chess Puzzle #H9N0Z — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h2; rook e1; knight f3; pawns b3/g2/h5. Black: king e6; queen c3; knight d5; pawn e2. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3 — queen c3→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxe2 (queen e3→e2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nd4+ — knight f3→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e6→e5).
4. Best move: Nxe2 — knight d4→e2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, pin, sacrifice. The key move Rxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4k3/3n3P/8/1Pq2N2/4p1PK/4R3 b - - 1 39

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