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

Position

White: king g6; rook e8; knight e7; pawns a3/b3/c4/f6. Black: king b7; bishops c8/d4; knight f7; pawns a6/b6/c5/c7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd6 — knight f7→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight d6→c8, captures knight).
3. Best move: f7 — pawn f6→f7. Opponent replies Nd6 (knight c8→d6).
4. Best move: f8=Q — pawn f7→f8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, promotion. The key move Nxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2b1R3/1kp1Nn2/pp3PK1/2p5/2Pb4/PP6/8/8 b - - 4 43

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