Chess Puzzle #XvU5a — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; knight d2; pawns a3/b3/c4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king c5; knight f6; pawns a5/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4+ — knight d2→e4, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxe4 (king e3→e4, captures knight).
3. Best move: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e4→d3).
4. Best move: axb3 — pawn a4→b3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, knight endgame, long. The key move Nxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/5ppp/1p2pn2/p1k5/2P5/PP2KPP1/3N3P/8 w - - 0 31

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