Chess Puzzle #cjpM4 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; rook a7; knight c6; pawns a2/d4/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; rook f7; knight d5; pawns e6/g7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd3 — king e3→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nb4+ — knight d5→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king d3→c4).
3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight b4→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook a7→f7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Kxf7 — king g8→f7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move is Nb4+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/R4rp1/2N1p3/3n2Pp/3P3P/4K3/P4P2/8 w - - 1 42

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