Chess Puzzle #QLrch — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; knight c7; pawns a4/c4/c6/e3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g7; rook a3; pawns a5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a3→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight c7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g7→f8).
3. Best move: Nxd6 — knight e8→d6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: c7 — pawn c6→c7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Ne8+.

Position data

FEN: 8/2N2pkp/2Pp2p1/p7/P1P5/r3PP2/6PP/6K1 b - - 0 32

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