Chess Puzzle #S0e2Y — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rook d7; knight c8; pawns a5/e4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g7; knight b2; pawns b3/c3/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc4 — knight b2→c4. Opponent replies Nd6 (knight c8→d6).
3. Best move: c2 — pawn c3→c2. Opponent replies Rxf7+ (rook d7→f7, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh6 — king g7→h6. Opponent replies Nxc4 (knight d6→c4, captures knight).
5. Best move: c1=Q — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, defensive move, endgame, equality, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move is Nc4.

Position data

FEN: 2N5/3R1pkp/6p1/P7/4P3/1pp2PP1/1n2K2P/8 w - - 0 38

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