Chess Puzzle #KmndY — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g6; knight c4; pawns a5/e4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king f8; knight d3; pawns a7/c5/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5+ — knight d3→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe5 (knight c4→e5, captures knight).
3. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f6→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Kf5 (king g6→f5).
4. Best move: c4 — pawn c5→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, knight endgame, long, master. The key move Nxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/p5p1/5pKp/P1p5/2N1P2P/3n4/5PP1/8 w - - 1 44

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