Chess Puzzle #iJ85O — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; knight c5; pawns f2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king a3; pawns b4/c4/e6/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe6 — knight c5→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ka2 — king a3→a2. Opponent replies Nc5 (knight e6→c5).
3. Best move: b3+ — pawn b4→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c2→d2).
4. Best move: c3+ — pawn c4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc3 (king d2→c3, captures pawn).
5. Best move: b2 — pawn b3→b2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, exposed king, knight endgame, very long. The key move is Ka2.

Position data

FEN: 8/6pp/4pp2/2N5/1pp2P2/k5P1/2K2P1P/8 w - - 6 37

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