Chess Puzzle #M6q9L — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; knight e2; pawns a3/b4/e3/f4/g4/h3. Black: king e6; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/d5/f5/g6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4+ — knight e2→d4, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king d3→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: fxg4 — pawn f5→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies hxg4 (pawn h3→g4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: h5 — pawn h6→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, long. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p1n1k1pp/1p1p1p2/1P3PP1/P2KP2P/4N3/8 w - - 0 36

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