Chess Puzzle #dPDz3 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; knight e3; pawns a2/b3/c4/e5. Black: king c6; knight h4; pawns a6/b5/c5/f5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf5 — knight e3→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxf5 — knight h4→f5, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxf5 (king e4→f5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Kd7 — king c6→d7. Opponent replies cxb5 (pawn c4→b5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies a4 (pawn a2→a4).
5. Best move: c4 — pawn c5→c4.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, knight endgame, very long. The key move Nxf5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p1k5/1pp1Pp1p/2P1K2n/1P2N3/P7/8 w - - 0 42

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