Chess Puzzle #m3NDj — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b6; knight d2; pawns a5/b4/c4/e4/f5/h4/h5. Black: king c8; knight e8; pawns a6/b7/c6/e5/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c4→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
3. Best move: Nc7 — knight e8→c7. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b5→c6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Na8# — knight c7→a8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, knight endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Na8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1n3/1p4p1/pKp2p1p/P3pP1P/1PP1P2P/8/3N4/8 w - - 1 54

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