Chess Puzzle #KFI7X — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; knight e2; pawns a3/c2/c3/g2/g3/h3. Black: king f6; bishop d7; pawns a5/b5/c4/d5/f5/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxb4 — pawn c3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxh3 (pawn g4→h3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move cxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/3b4/5k2/pp1p1p1p/2p2Kp1/P1P3PP/2P1N1P1/8 b - - 1 37

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