Chess Puzzle #NW8b1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; knight e6; pawns b2/d4/e3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king b3; bishop e4; pawns b5/d5/f5/g4/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight e6→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Opponent replies Na6 (knight c7→a6).
3. Best move: Bd3 — bishop e4→d3. Opponent replies Nc5+ (knight a6→c5, gives check).
4. Best move: Kc2 — king b3→c2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is b4.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/4N2p/1p1p1p2/3PbPpP/1k2P1P1/1P3K2/8 w - - 0 57

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