Chess Puzzle #JZXfM — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; knight f6; pawns b2/b4/f2/f3/g4/h2. Black: king c7; rook d5; pawns b5/d4/e5/g6/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook d5→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight f6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c7→d7).
3. Best move: Nxd6 — knight e8→d6, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king d7→d6, captures knight).
4. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Ne8+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2k5/5Np1/1p1rp3/1P1p2Pp/3K1P2/1P3P1P/8 b - - 1 40

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